Brazil will learn Carlo Ancelotti's World Cup squad next Monday, 18 May, and the final list no longer feels surrounded by many doubts. Most of his core appears settled.
Yet one decision continues to dominate the build-up. Neymar 's name still carries a different weight in Brazil, especially because his international future has looked uncertain for so long.
That picture has shifted sharply in recent days. What once felt like an outside chance now appears to have become one of the major stories before Ancelotti speaks.
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
Neymar now appears increasingly likely to be called up, with several Brazilian reports pointing towards a significant change in the mood around his prospects.
For instance, UOL reported that "Santos is working with the information that Neymar will be on the list to be announced on Monday", a line that has only increased the noise.
There have also been signs from Ancelotti himself. His recent praise for the 34-year-old in an interview with Reuters strengthened the belief that the door had not closed.
That matters because this is not only a selection debate. It is about whether Ancelotti believes the Santos superstar can still alter matches, even without being at his absolute peak.
Estevao's serious hamstring injury has changed the attacking calculation. He had quickly become a starter under Ancelotti and one of Brazil's most reliable forward options.
His likely absence is a major hit, particularly because Brazil had built momentum with him in the side. Losing that profile so close to the tournament creates a clear vacancy.
Neymar has not been called up since October 2023, when he suffered an ACL injury. Now, almost three years later, Brazil's most decisive recent star looks close to returning.
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