Former striker Romario, world champion with Brazil in 1994, ignited debate in Brazilian football by publicly defending Neymar’s call to the 2026 World Cup and questioning the early renewal of coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The former Barcelona scorer, who currently serves as a senator in Brazil, joined the chorus of voices calling for the return of the Santos attacker to the National Team despite the fact that Neymar has not yet recovered his best football level. “Neymar has to go to the World Cup. He can make a difference, he is respected and he is going to help Brazil,” Romario stated.
Ancelotti, who completes a year as Brazilian coach this month, has reiterated on multiple occasions that he will only call up players for the World Cup who are at one hundred percent of their physical condition, a position that until now has left Neymar out of his plans.
For Romario that door should open, although he acknowledged that Neymar’s presence could generate internal tensions in the group. “Such silly vanities exist in football”said the former soccer player, who nevertheless considers that Neymar’s contribution on the field surpasses any conflict of egos.
Regarding Ancelotti’s possible early renewal for four years, Romario was blunt in his position. “I would not renew with Ancelotti before the World Cup. I would only renew him if he were champion,” he stated, questioning a decision that both the coach and the Brazilian Football Confederation already take for granted. The former striker was also honest about Brazil’s real chances in the tournament. “The Brazilian team is more or less. It is behind Argentina, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany,” he pointed out, ruling out Canarinha as the great favorite for the title.
Brazil and the debate over Neymar
Romario’s position reflects the division that exists in Brazil over Neymar’s call to the 2026 World Cup. The Santos attacker has had a slow recovery after his serious injuries and although he has shown flashes of his best level in some games, he is still far from being the dominant player who shone in previous editions of the World Cup.
Romario was also pessimistic about the individual chances of the Brazilian players in the tournament. ““No one is in a position to be the best in the World Cup, not even Neymar.”he stated. With the tournament just over a month away from its start, the debate about Neymar and Ancelotti’s future promises to continue dominating the Brazilian football agenda in the weeks leading up to the 2026 World Cup.