For over a decade, Neymar has been the face of Brazilian football, but is his time with the national team coming to an end? After a surprising squad omission by Carlo Ancelotti and a string of football injuries, the future of the Seleção legend hangs in the balance. Will we see him don the yellow shirt again?

For over a decade, Neymar has been the undisputed icon of Brazilian football, but recent developments cast a long shadow over his international future with the Seleção.

Since his teenage debut, Neymar carried the immense expectations of a football-crazed nation, dazzling with his unparalleled flair and ascending to become one of Brazil’s all-time top scorers, a true Seleção legend. His journey captivated fans worldwide, establishing him as a global football superstar.

However, a significant blow arrived this week as Carlo Ancelotti, the revered Brazil coach, controversially omitted Neymar from the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Chile and Bolivia, despite his diligent recovery from a severe ACL and meniscus injury sustained in October 2023. This decision marks a pivotal moment for the national team.

The forward’s absence from international duty has stretched for nearly two years due to persistent football injuries, forcing the Brazil national team to adapt and build a squad capable of functioning and thriving without their once-indispensable talisman. This period has seen other attackers shoulder responsibility.

Ancelotti’s rationale for the exclusion was direct: a minor muscle issue combined with the non-critical nature of the qualifying games. This approach signals a clear shift towards nurturing young Brazilian talent like Estêvão and Cruzeiro’s Kaio Jorge, indicating that a place in the squad is no longer guaranteed by name alone but by current form, reliability, and peak physical condition, especially for critical matches.

At 33 years of age, while Neymar’s sheer ability to influence matches remains undeniable, his recurring football injuries have become a significant concern. These frequent setbacks have eroded his rhythm and made consistent availability a considerable challenge for the national team, prompting questions about his long-term viability at the elite international level.

The dilemma for Brazilian football is not just tactical but deeply emotional; millions still adore Neymar, whose record stands alongside Pelé as a joint all-time top scorer for the national team. To see him fade out of the international picture without a proper farewell would feel cruel to many supporters who have celebrated his journey since 2010.

While Ancelotti hasn’t officially closed the door, insisting that a fully healthy Neymar could still play an important role, the underlying message is unmistakable. This moment forces fans around the world to ponder whether this marks the quiet end of his illustrious era with the Brazil national team or if the Seleção legend can reinvent himself for one final, heroic return.