Neymar has been left out of Brazil's friendlies in the United States this month. The 34-year-old former captain has struggled to be fit since his ACL injury in October 2023. Brazil are set to face France in Boston on March 26 and Croatia in Orlando four days later.

Speaking about his squad selection, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said that he only selects players who are 100% fit to play. The Brazilian team has been hit with various injuries just months before the World Cup in America.

"This is a squad that takes into account players who are 100% fit. We had important injuries to players like Eder Militao, Bruno Guimaraes, Estevao, and Rodrygo." Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday. 

Neymar himself has suffered a lot of injuries throughout his career. The Brazilian star is currently playing in Santos in the Brazilian league, in the hope of playing in what could be his last World Cup.

After the squad was announced, Neymar told the media at an event in Sao Paulo he was "upset and sad" for not being in Brazil's squad for the two friendlies.
"I’m upset, sad, about not being called up. But the focus remains day after day, training after training, game after game. We’re going to achieve our goal. There’s still one final call-up left, and the dream lives on. That’s it, we’re in this together,” Neymar said.

The World Cup squad will be announced on May 18. The team's last warmup will be on May 31 against Panama in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil will start the tournament as one of the favourites to win the competition, having last won the FIFA World Cup back in 2002.

The Brazilian squad for the friendlies:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).