Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that Neymar is disappointed with his reduced playing time at the 2026 World Cup. Despite this, the veteran forward has maintained a positive attitude and continues to be a respected leader within the Brazilian squad. Neymar has only logged 14 minutes during the tournament, coming on as a late substitute against Scotland.
Now 34, the star is expected to start on the bench once more for the upcoming round of 16 clash against Norway at MetLife Stadium. Speaking to Folha de Sao Paulo, Ancelotti praised the player’s humble demeanor and training performance. While Neymar arrived in the United States dealing with a calf injury, the manager confirmed he is now physically fit to play.
Ancelotti noted that while he cannot predict exactly how many minutes Neymar will see on the field, the player possesses the experience required to handle the intensity of the game. Brazil enters the match against Norway looking to break a historical winless streak against the Nordic side, as well as a long drought against European opponents in World Cup knockout stages since 2002. Ancelotti remains optimistic, emphasizing the team’s preparation for a defensively disciplined Norwegian side.
