Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has publicly called upon Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, to ensure that Santos talisman Neymar is part of the final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The plea follows Ancelotti’s recent squad announcement for the March international window, a list that notably omitted the legendary forward.
The former Real Madrid tactician defended the exclusion by stating that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona superstar had not yet attained the 100% physical fitness required for the current selection. Despite these medical reservations from the technical bench, Ferdinand used his platform on the YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents to urge a change of heart, emphasizing the unique value the veteran brings to the global stage.
The retired defender argued that the tournament’s prestige is elevated by the presence of generational talents who possess the rare ability to define a match with a single stroke of brilliance. Reflecting on the prospect of a World Cup without the Brazilian icon, Ferdinand expressed his concern for the fans and the spectacle itself.
“Neymar has not made the recent squad, man, I cannot believe it,” Ferdinand said.
“As a football fan, I am praying that he’s there and that he touches the pitch at the World Cup because this is what it’s about.
“The greats of the game, the icons that you go, ‘Remember that moment?’ He could produce one of those moments at a World Cup. I am telling you, please, Carlo, get Neymar back in.”
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