Coach Carlo Ancelotti, from the Brazilian team, planned to watch Neymar closely in the Santos match against Mirassol, this Tuesday (March 10), for Campeonato Brasileiro. The striker, however, was rested by the club’s technical committee due to muscle wear. The absence comes at a decisive moment, as the squad for the friendlies against França and Croácia will be announced next Monday (16). The CBF expressed frustration with the lack of clear information from Santos regarding the player’s physical condition.
Neymar has not been on the field since February 26th, when he played the full 90 minutes in Santos’s 2-1 victory over Vasco. Desde then, the athlete carried out individual physical work, but was absent from some collective activities. The club informed that the number 10 follows a load control program to manage wear, with a focus on muscle strengthening. The expectation is that he will be available for the classic against Corinthians, on Sunday (15), at Vila Belmiro.
Questions about physical condition
The Brazilian team’s technical committee prioritizes players in full shape for upcoming commitments. Ancelotti has already stated that Neymar must demonstrate consistent physical fitness to be considered. The striker’s history of injuries, including a serious knee injury in 2023 that sidelined him for a long period, continues to be a point of attention at the CBF.
The Santos club denies that it is a serious injury. Instead, he reinforces that the measure aims to preserve the player for the remainder of the season. Neymar trained normally on Monday (9), but carried out separate activities with other unrelated athletes. The lack of detailed communication between Santos and the highest authority in Brazilian football increased uncertainty.
Absence frustrates direct observation
Carlo Ancelotti and national team coordinator Rodrigo Caetano confirmed their presence at the Maião stadium to watch the duel against The expectation was to evaluate the attacker’s performance on the field. Sem the participation of Neymar, the Italian coach missed the opportunity for on-site analysis before defining the list.
The pre-list prepared by the commission includes the name of Neymar, along with others such as Endrick and Bremer. Essa preliminary list serves as the basis for the final call, but does not guarantee a place. The friendlies against França (26 March) and Croácia (31 March), in the Estados Unidos, represent the last Data Fifa before the Copa of the
Load control program on Santos
The Santos adopted load control to avoid overloading the 34-year-old athlete. Neymar played in a few games this season, playing limited minutes since returning to the club. Após the 90 minutes against Vasco, the interval of almost two weeks without official matches motivated the preservation in the confrontation with Mirassol.
The strategy seeks to balance participation in games with muscle recovery. Coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda is counting on the number 10 to return for the classic against Corinthians. The club emphasizes that planning is done together with the player’s staff to ensure ideal conditions throughout the Brasileirão.
Recent history and injury concerns
Neymar has not played for the national team since October 2023, when he suffered a knee injury during the Eliminatórias. Desde so, the focus has been on gradual recovery and resuming rhythm in Santos. The CBF technical committee debates whether the history of recurrent physical problems justifies caution in call-ups.
Ancelotti maintains the position that the selection follows a collective plan. The coach avoids relying on individual athletes in times of physical uncertainty. The absence in the observed game represents an additional obstacle for the attacker, who seeks to regain space in the squad.
Next steps for Neymar
The striker will only have the duel against Corinthians as an immediate opportunity to demonstrate form before the call-up is announced. Caso is not convinced, the chances of inclusion on the list for friendlies decrease significantly. The CBF and Ancelotti prioritize regularity and total availability in training and matches.
Santos continues to monitor the evolution of Neymar in CT Rei Pelé. The club works to ensure that the player is in a position to play in the classic, maintaining dialogue with the athlete’s staff. The situation reflects the challenge of balancing a career at the club with the expectations of the national team.
