A curious one indeed.
Neymar, a world superstar, is 34 now. He’s his country’s all-time top scorer and second on the list of appearances, but not the player he once was.
He’d been frozen out until this tournament. Not playing for Brazil in 30-odd months. But he was brought back into the squad for this tournament under Ancelotti, essentially giving the Brazilian public what they want.
It comes at the expense of the likes of Joao Pedro and Richarlison. But there’s one main issue – he’s not even fit.
He’s been ruled out of tonight with a calf injury, and is not yet in full training. Ancelotti has said he won’t be back until at least the Haiti game a week today.
You do wonder if it will cost them.
