Neymar's Career Question Mark: Bimbang In Santos And Expelled By Brazil's National Team

JAKARTA - Neymar said that he would make a decision on his future at Santos after June 12, 2025.

The Brazilian footballer, who joined his childhood club, Santos, in January 2025, on a five-month contract, will be a free agent on June 30, 2025.

Santos really wants Neymar to stay afloat until at least the 2026 World Cup.

When asked about his future, Neymar, who started a friendly match on Thursday, May 29, 2025 - who ended in a 1-3 defeat to RB Leipzig - still don't know.

"I still don't know. I wouldn't answer any questions about it. I've already said that I don't know."

"I'm still thinking about it. There's no point in asking me again in three days because the answer will stay the same."

"I will only decide after the 12th (June)," said Neymar.

The Brazilian main league (Seerie A) will stop for a month starting June 12, 2025 due to the 2025 Club World Cup.

Amid reports that Neymar would extend his contract with Santos, Neymar's father and agent, Neymar da Silva Santos, said there had been no decision regarding his son's future, adding that his son had other options.

"On June 30, 2025 everyone will know if we will continue. We have not decided anything because Neymar's contract expires and the extension has not been discussed."

"The update depends on several factors. Santos has full freedom to accept Neymar or not, to say whether or not to renew his contract."

"Now we need to know if Santos has a structure to defend Neymar."

"It's not up to us. Now, does Neymar have a market? Yes," he told Globoesporte.

Amid speculation about where Neymar will anchor, his career in the Brazilian National Team has yet to come to light.

His desire to defend the Samba Team at the 2026 World Cup is unlikely as Carlo Ancelotti comes as a new coach.

Neymar's father also agreed that the child's muscle injury - which made him only play in three league games for Santos - postponed his return to the Brazilian National Team.

"It must have happened. This injury was suspected. We know that the inactivity we've been experiencing for some time means we need to add minutes to play, play on the pitch, and drive ourselves a little bit to see how our bodies react after a long absence."

"We are very happy with his condition, with his recovery. Neymar is strong, we are happy with his progress," said Neymar's father.

So, it's no surprise that Carlo Ancelotti didn't include Neymar in his first squad for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in early June 2025.

In a row of veteran players, the Italian coach prefers to recall Casemiro. Richarlison and Antony also entered for the nearest two 2026 World Cup Qualification matches.

Brazil will play in Ecuador on June 5, 2025, before hosting Paraguay on June 10, 2025.

Tim Samba sudah kehilangan Neymar sejak Oktober 2023, ketika ia mengalami tah ACL dan meniskus kiri saat bertugas internasional.

"I tried to choose a player who was in top condition. Neymar had just suffered an injury."

"Everyone knows that Neymar is a very important player. He has always been and will always be," said Ancelotti on Monday, May 26, 2025.

In fact, Neymar has long dreamed of returning to the Brazilian National Team since recovering from injury at Al Hilal.

"You'll see what the World Cup will be like. I think it's going crazy! I think this can change a lot! It's good for everyone!" Neymar told Disney+.

Neymar assesses that holding the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will provide a different experience.

The Santos star said he enjoyed entertainment and the atmosphere at sporting events in North America, something football around the world couldn't yet match.

"You don't go to basketball games (NBA) just to watch basketball matches."

"There was a show. There was a break, people came out to dance. Then, there was another break, supporters came out to play basketball. Before the game, someone who was very famous sang the national anthem."

"They make you feel happy to come. If you take it as a reference, that's good for Brazil."

"In football, you have games for 90 minutes and nothing during the break."

"Everyone went to the stadium gates to hang out. Why not in the stadium? Do something different?"

"Combursement can be used in various ways without reducing everyone's focus," said Neymar.

Despite the Neymar issue, Richarlison and Casemiro have not played for the Brazilian National Team since October 2023.

However, Ancelotti has his own consideration in re-election of the two.

"In my opinion, he (Casemiro) is a great player. I was lucky to be with him."

"I think the Brazilian National Team needs this type of player who has charisma, personality, and talent. Brazil always has a lot of talent," said Ancelotti about Casemiro, who has made 75 appearances for Brazil.

Meanwhile, Antony, who enjoyed an impressive loan period at Real Betis, was also included in the squad. He will compete for time to play with Raphinha and Vinicius Junior.

Raphinha scored 34 goals and provided 22 assists in 54 games for La Liga champions, Barcelona, this season.

Vinicius played for Ancelotti at Real Madrid and finished runner-up at the Ballon d'Or in October 2024.

The forward has scored just six goals in 39 appearances since making his debut in Brazil in 2019, but Ancelotti believes he will give his best for the Samba Team.

"It's hard to say, because Vini hasn't shown the best side yet. If that hasn't happened, it will because he's an amazing player, hard worker, and a fighter."

"The truth is that Brazilian players really like their national team. This can affect their natural thinking, in the sense that sometimes they feel a lot of pressure to perform well."

"This can prevent them from performing well. I really believe that Vini will show her original color with her national team," said Ancelotti.

Brazil has yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and is fourth in the Conmebol Zone (South America), having lost five to 14 matches.

Brazil Squad In 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)

Defenders: Alexandro (Flamengo), Alexandro Ribeiro (ille), Beraldo (PSG), Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Marquinhos (PSG), Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley (Flamengo)

Midfielder: Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Andrey Santos (Strasbourg), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Ederson (Atalanta), Gerson (Flamengo)

Striker: Antony (Betis), Estevoo (Palmeiras), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)