Neymar in Brazil’s World Cup squad after much drama

Brazil superstar Neymar made a dramatic return to the World Cup squad on Monday, returning to the national team after an absence of nearly three years.

The inclusion of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 matches, was the biggest surprise in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s announced 26-man squad.

Ancelotti announced Neymar’s arrival at a lavish ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, with the veteran forward’s call-up being greeted with cheers from the crowd.

There has been widespread speculation over the past few months about whether the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward will be able to regain his place in the national team.

The veteran forward of the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups has not played for Brazil since suffering a knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in 2023.

He has been out of the national team due to injury and lack of form, with Ancelotti even mentioning concerns about his fitness after leaving him out of the squad for friendlies against France and Croatia last March.

However, Neymar, who joined his boyhood club Santos last January after overcoming an injury-plagued chapter in Saudi Arabia, has now received Ancelotti’s final approval for the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Brazil, seeking a record sixth World Cup title, will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. Their other two opponents in Group C are Haiti and Scotland.
### Squad:
* **Goalkeepers:** Alisson (Liverpool/England), Ederson (Fenerbahçe/Turkey), Waverton (Gremio/Brazil)
* **Defenders:** Alex Sandro (Flamengo/Brazil), Danilo (Flamengo/Brazil), Leo Pereira (Flamengo/Brazil), Bremer (Juventus/Italy), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg/Russia), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/England), Ibanez (Al-Ahly/Saudi Arabia), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/France), Wesley (Roma/Italy)
* **Midfielders:** Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/England), Casemiro (Manchester United/England), Danilo (Botefogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad/Saudi Arabia), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo/Brazil)
* **Forward:** Endric (Lyon/France), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/England), Igor Thiago (Brentford/England), Luiz Henrique (Zenit/Russia), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/England), Neymar (Santos/Brazil), Rafinha (Barcelona/Spain), Ryan (Bournemouth/England), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Spain)