Neymar has been handed a limited window of between three and seven matches to convince Carlo Ancelotti that he deserves a place in Brazil’s World Cup plans.
Reports indicate that Ancelotti’s March squad call-up will be his final selection before announcing the official World Cup squad list in May. Behind the scenes, it is understood that the Brazilian No. 10 is currently not considered a priority for the Italian coach.
Neymar’s opportunities could shrink even further depending on Santos’ progress in the Paulista Championship.
If Santos fail to beat Velo Clube and do not advance to the quarterfinals, Neymar will have only two remaining matches — against Vasco and Mirassol — to make his case before the next squad announcement.
However, if Santos secure qualification, Neymar could earn up to four additional games through the knockout rounds, including potential appearances in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the two-legged final.
With time running out, the coming weeks may prove decisive for Neymar’s World Cup hopes.
