"I'm upset and saddened" - Neymar comments for the first time on being left out of Brazil's squad for friendlies against Croatia and France

Neymar remains hopeful until the very end that he'll receive a call-up to the national team for the World Cup.

Details: After it became clear that Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti decided not to include the 34-year-old Santos winger Neymar in the squad for the friendlies against Croatia and France, the media began to question whether Neymar still has a chance to go to the World Cup with the Seleção.

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According to Ancelotti himself, everything is in Neymar's hands, and the player is confident he can still convince the national team coach and make it to the World Cup:

"I'm upset and saddened that I wasn't called up to the national team. But I'm still focused on every day, every training session, and every match.

We will reach our goal. There's still one last call-up left, and the dream is alive. That's it, we're in this together," said Neymar.

Neymar last played for Brazil on October 18, 2023, in a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay. It was in that game that the Brazilian suffered a horrific ACL tear, an injury that still casts a shadow over his return to the national team.

The Brazil national team will play a friendly against France on March 26, and against Croatia on April 1. These matches will serve as one of the final dress rehearsals ahead of the World Cup.

Reminder: Decision made? Ancelotti announces Brazil squad. Is Neymar included?