Santos said the player's absence was a precautionary measure, but the timing was inappropriate as Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had organized a trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to watch Neymar (34) play.
Sources close to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the national team's technical committee told Reuters that Neymar's absence from Tuesday's match was met with surprise and disappointment by the CBF and coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had hoped to closely assess the number 10.
Ancelotti had previously stated that he would only select players who were fully fit and could meet Brazil's physical demands. Neymar's absence from today's match could cost him a place in the national team squad, which will be announced on March 16, in preparation for the friendly matches against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31.
Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not played for his country since October 2023 when he suffered several serious knee ligament injuries that hampered his return.
Since Neymar's return to Santos, the club where he grew up, from Saudi Arabia in January 2025, he has shown glimpses of his usual level but has struggled to maintain his performance in consecutive matches.
Brazil's attacking options include a number of physically fit players such as Vinicius Junior, Estevão, Rafinha, João Pedro, Gabriel Martinelli, Andrek, Igor Jesus and Matheus Cunha.
Ancelotti will continue his visit to avoid giving the impression that he went solely to see Neymar, even though that was the primary reason for his trip.
Neymar is expected to be fit to play in next Sunday's match against Corinthians at Vila Belmiro. However, Ancelotti will attend the Botafogo vs. Flamengo match in Rio de Janeiro on the same day, while his assistants will be monitoring the Corinthians game.
Time seems to be running out for Neymar, as Brazil is scheduled to announce its final World Cup squad in May. The tournament will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19. (Prepared by Mahmoud Kamel for the Arabic Bulletin – Edited by Shaimaa Saad)
