International media outlets have heavily analyzed the Brazilian national team's roster for the 2026 World Cup with a sharp critical lens. Notably, the British newspaper The Guardian stated that manager Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to include Neymar on the final squad list serves as a strategic maneuver to position the forward back at the center of the country's expectations. According to the publication, the move attempts to construct a "last dance" narrative similar to the one that propelled Lionel Messi to glory with Argentina, despite massive gaps in physical readiness and current stats.
The British outlet underlines that the 34-year-old forward's recent medical history clashes with the team's tournament goals. Before sustaining a fresh calf injury, the player had logged a meager 682 minutes in domestic league play. The analysis draws a sharp contrast by noting that the Brazilian icon started just 27 league matches over the past three seasons, whereas his Argentine counterpart arrived at his triumphant World Cup off the back of 18 high-caliber appearances and ten goals for Paris Saint-Germain.
