Neymar Earns Preliminary Brazil Recall Under Carlo Ancelotti While Teen Sensation Endrick Dominates French Football

Neymar receives a Brazil lifeline from Carlo Ancelotti while Endrick shines at Lyon. Read the latest on the Seleção's World Cup preparations and injury news.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 4:22 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from GOAL

A Final Audition for the Legendary Number Ten

Neymar’s aspirations for a 2026 World Cup swan song have received a significant boost with his inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s preliminary roster for March friendlies against France and Croatia. Now plying his trade back in Brazil with Santos, the veteran forward is facing extreme scrutiny regarding his match fitness and longevity. Despite the call-up, Neymar will sit out Santos’ upcoming clash with Mirassol for "load control," leaving him with a solitary domestic fixture against Corinthians to prove to Ancelotti and director Rodrigo Caetano that he can still impact the international stage.

Endrick’s Explosive Impact in Ligue 1

While Neymar fights for his international future, teenage phenom Endrick has all but secured his. Since his high-profile January transfer from Real Madrid to Olympique Lyonnais, the young striker has taken French football by storm. In just 10 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, Endrick has recorded five goals and three assists, showcasing a level of physical and tactical maturity that has stunned European observers. His rapid adaptation makes him a near-certainty for the final World Cup squad, representing the vanguard of Brazil’s new attacking generation.

Bremer’s Resilient Return to the Defensive Core

On the defensive end, Juventus center-back Bremer has successfully fought his way back into the national team fold. After suffering a catastrophic ACL and meniscus injury in late 2024, the defender underwent a grueling recovery process in Turin. His return to the preliminary list—his first since the 2024 Copa America—rewards his emergence as a locker room leader for Juventus. Ancelotti is reportedly keen on Bremer’s physical presence to provide a stable foundation for a backline that has lacked consistency in recent windows.