Ancelotti Bets on Neymar in the World Cup.. Messi Obsession Still Haunts Brazil

Ancelotti including Neymar in Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup not only reflects a technical choice but also reveals the ongoing "historical pressure" on the Brazilian team to produce a star of Lionel Messi's caliber. The article suggests that Brazil has been searching for "its own Messi" for years to encapsulate the national team's football project.

The article asserts that Neymar, despite his great talent, has throughout his career been constantly compared to Messi, whether at Barcelona or at the national team level.

He was part of a historic attacking trio with Messi and Luis Suarez, but he did not become the "ultimate icon" that Brazil dreamed of. Instead, he became a player caught between media and public expectations.

The author also reviews Neymar's journey with the national team, noting that the excessive reliance on him created tactical imbalances for Brazil in more than one tournament, most notably the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. Additionally, his injuries and immense pressure have caused his image to oscillate between brilliance and frustration.

The article concludes that Ancelotti's choice of Neymar at this age, with his declining physical condition and limited appearances, seems to be "a bet on hope rather than logic." It suggests that Brazil is still stuck in the idea of searching for a version of Messi, which has turned Neymar into an unfinished project rather than a complete legend.