When coach Carlo Ancelotti read aloud the list of players who made the cut to Brazil’s World Cup squad, one name earned the loudest cheers: Neymar Jr.After months of sweating over his fitness, the 34-year-old forward breathed a sigh of relief as he earned a place in Brazil’s 26-man squad for the tournament in North America, which begins on June 11.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listHis return to the national team, following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, has come with its own share of drama and doubts.Here’s everything to know about Neymar’s surprise World Cup call-up:Why was Neymar selected in Brazil’s World Cup squad?Brazil coach Ancelotti said he chose Neymar among the nine attackers after seeing an improvement in his fitness levels.Neymar da Silva Santos Jr is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer. But his selection to the squad was considered doubtful after a series of injuries kept him out for much of the Selecao’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament, where they are aiming for a record-extending sixth title.“We evaluated Neymar throughout the year and noticed that recently he has been playing consistently and has improved his physical condition,” Ancelotti told reporters during Monday’s squad announcement in Rio de Janeiro.“He has the same role and responsibilities as everyone else, but he is an experienced player. It’s true that in some positions we prioritised experience.”Why was Neymar’s selection so controversial?The simple answer is injuries.Neymar struggled to return to top fitness and had not been part of the national t …
