According to a source close to the Brazilian national team cited by L'Équipe, Neymar now has only a very slim chance of making Brazil’s final World Cup squad, and he was never considered a central part of head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans in the first place.

Last Sunday, Neymar became involved in a controversial incident at Santos FC’s training ground after reportedly lashing out at young teammate Robinho Jr.. According to witnesses and Brazilian media reports, the confrontation took place during a recovery session. What began as a verbal disagreement escalated, with Neymar allegedly slapping the youngster before tripping him to the ground. The incident has since been confirmed by both the media and sources within the club, quickly spreading across social media and generating widespread attention.

What makes the situation even more striking is the close relationship between Neymar and the Robinho family. Neymar had reportedly been helped by Robinho during his return to Santos, and the two families were said to share a strong bond. As a result, the altercation has been viewed not only as a training-ground dispute, but also as a major test of Neymar’s professionalism and leadership image. Santos immediately launched an internal investigation following the incident, while Neymar publicly apologized. However, criticism from both inside and outside the club continues to grow. Reports suggest that Robinho Jr.’s family has issued an ultimatum to the club, demanding concrete action or potentially considering terminating the player’s contract.

For Neymar, the timing could hardly be worse. Since returning to Santos in 2025, he has been trying to rediscover his best form in hopes of earning a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad. However, recurring injuries, inconsistent performances, and now this latest controversy have weakened his standing in Ancelotti’s eyes. A source close to the Brazilian Football Confederation reportedly stated: “His chances are extremely, extremely slim. At the moment, he is not part of the coach’s plans, but because of issues with the forwards’ form, he has not been completely ruled out yet.”

Experts also point out that Neymar’s legendary status still gives him influence. He remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in official international competitions and continues to possess enormous public appeal. Nevertheless, his lack of consistency and disciplinary concerns in training have raised doubts about whether he can still provide reliable contributions to the national team. Football commentator Thiago Rabello said: “If Neymar ultimately makes the World Cup squad, it will be more because of the beautiful memories and expectations created by his talent in the past, rather than his current form.” In other words, although Neymar once held an untouchable status within the national team, his present condition and mentality have now become decisive factors in determining whether he will be selected.

The training-ground incident has only made his situation even more fragile. Ancelotti and his coaching staff were already reportedly frustrated by the constant media attention surrounding Neymar, and this latest episode may serve as another reason to leave him out of the squad. Losing control in front of younger players, combined with intense public scrutiny, has further damaged Neymar’s image within the national setup and cast additional doubt over his World Cup future. Sources claim the coaching staff had already grown tired of the endless discussion around Neymar, and this controversy could become a key factor in evaluating whether he is suitable for selection.

Beyond disciplinary and image concerns, Neymar’s footballing condition remains a major issue. Since returning to Santos, injuries have severely limited his playing time, preventing him from regaining peak form. Across several matches, his performances have fluctuated dramatically, lacking both consistency and sustained impact. With the World Cup approaching, such uncertainty makes it difficult for Brazil to rely on him in decisive moments. Brazilian football analyst Rabello explained: “The national team needs players capable of making a huge impact in a short period of time, not veterans living off past glory. If Neymar is selected, it would largely be due to fan pressure and public sentiment rather than actual performances.”

L’Équipe also noted that Brazil will announce its final World Cup squad on May 18. If Neymar hopes to make the cut, he must rapidly improve his fitness, regain emotional control, and rebuild trust both publicly and within the squad. However, given his recent altercation and ongoing fitness struggles, his chances of making the tournament have dropped significantly. One insider summarized the situation bluntly: “His chances were already limited. Now he’s hanging by a thread. If Ancelotti prioritizes stability and discipline, Neymar could lose his place entirely.”