The Brazilian national football team announced on Monday night, May 18, the list of 26 players for the World Cup, a competition that starts on June 11.
Neymar returns to the national team PHOTO Getty
Neymar is on the list. When Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his name, the room erupted. There was a roar, then chants, drums and uncontrollable euphoria. “Povo” wanted “O Ney!” was shouted, and the coach satisfied the crowd by summoning the 34-year-old from Santos for his fourth World Cup.
Neymar thus enters the select group of Brazilians with four active World Cups. He is the ninth, but only he and Thiago Silva have never won the trophy. In his first year in charge of the Seleção, Ancelotti did not call up Neymar for 10 matches. The star last wore the Brazil shirt on October 17, 2023.
700 accredited journalists, hundreds of guests and countless people gathered outside in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, where the magnificent Museu do Amanhã was built on the waters of Guanabara Bay. Usually, the list was announced at the headquarters of the federation – CBF, but this time, the event was completely spectacular.
“It may not be a perfect list, but I think it's a list with the fewest possible errors, compiled with knowledge, passion and dedication to make the World Cup a spectacular one”, said Don Carlo upon arrival.
“It was very, very difficult to choose because the competition in this country is very, very highhe said in Portuguese.I am not afraid to say that we can win: I know that this way the expectations increase a lot, but it also gives more motivation, which I consider a decisive aspect in the preparation for the World Cup. I got a lot of advice (laughs, ed.) from all over the world: airline pilots, singers, influencers, journalists, commentators. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I am the best person to make this decision. But thanks for the advice“.
Four players are absent due to injuries: Rodrygo, Militao, Estevao and Richarlison. Rayan, from Bournemouth, is the big surprise.
GOALKEEPERS:
Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio).
DEFENDERS:
Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit), Gabriel (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Wesley (Roma).
INTERMEDIARIES:
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Man United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Paquetà (Flamengo)
ATTACKERS:
Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Man United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius (Real Madrid).
