Neymar selected in Brazil World Cup squad as Carlo Ancelotti leaves out two big Premier League stars

”Ole, ole, ole, ola, Neymar!” was chanted by fans outside the venue staging the squad announcement ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and they got their wish when the Santos forward was on the final list of players submitted - even though he has not played for the country since October 2023.

Neymar’s place at the World Cup had looked in serious doubt after a dreadful spell with Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia - where he made just seven appearances in 18 months.

However, a switch to his boyhood club has seen Neymar play his way back into the spotlight for Ancelotti to take notice.

Neymar is Brazil’s leading goalscorer with 79 goals from his 128 appearances for the country and will be heading to his fourth World Cup, having competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

He will be joined by a raft of other Brazilian talent, but a number of big-name Premier League players have missed out.

Despite scoring 20 goals so far in his first season at under-performing Chelsea Pedro has been left out of Ancelotti’s squad, while Spurs' Richarlison is also missing.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson - who has missed the end of the domestic season through injury - will fight it out with ex-Manchester City stopper Ederson for a starting place between the sticks.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos made the cut and will have to put the UEFA Champions League final result behind them - whatever the outcome in Budapest.

Casemiro is saying goodbye to Manchester United this summer but he will have to move on quickly because he will be on the plane to the tournament as one of Ancelotti’s midfield options - along with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes.

Igor Thiago’s excellent season at Brentford has been rewarded with a place in Ancelotti’s squad, while Bournemouth striker Rayan joins a strong group of forwards which also includes Vinicius Jr, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli and teenager Endrick.

Speaking about his selections, Ancelotti said: ”It is a list that has been made after many evaluations throughout the year. There is a lot of competition, passion and knowledge. It has been very good work.

”It is not going to be perfect but it will surely have as few mistakes as possible. It is a list to do the best possible in the World Cup,” he said.

Brazil begin their campaign on Saturday, June 13 against Morocco before facing further group stage matches against Haiti and Scotland.

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Marquinhos (PSG), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Gleison Bremer (Juventus), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Roger Ibanez (Al Ahli), Wesley Franca (Roma), Danilo (Flamengo), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Fabinho (Al Ittihad), Danilo (Botafogo), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo)

Forwards: Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Neymar (Santos), Endrick (Lyon), Rayan (Bournemouth), Igor Thiago (Brentford).

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