Change of position could benefit ´legend´ Neymar, says Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti believes Neymar would suit playing as a false nine, claiming the position could also help him to maintain his fitness as he pushes for a place in Brazil’s squad.

Neymar has not featured for his country since October 2023, when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury playing against Uruguay.

He is yet to be called up by Ancelotti since he took over in May, missing out on all four international windows under him.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has made it clear that he wants to play for the Selecao at next year’s World Cup.

Ancelotti has raised concerns about Neymar’s fitness, with his reasoning for not calling him up for November’s friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia down to his recovery from a recent lay-off.

The Italian has also spoken of his desire to reintegrate Neymar into Brazil’s set-up and claimed that a switch from being a winger to a more central position could benefit the 33-year-old.

“Yes, yes, [the question I’ve heard most so far is] about Neymar, but it’s normal because he’s a legend of Brazilian football,” Ancelotti told PLACAR.

“So, it’s normal. I know everyone wants Neymar to get back to his best physical condition. And also, the CBF, the coach, the technical staff of the national team hope that Neymar can return to his best level.

CONVOCADOS!

O mister Ancelotti divulgou a lista dos jogadores convocados para os amistosos contra Senegal e Tunísia nos dias 15 e 18/11.

ISSO É BRASIL! pic.twitter.com/CSqf7BGTzn

— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) November 3, 2025

“The truth is that today’s football demands many things. Not only talent, but also physical condition, intensity; hopefully, Neymar will be at his best level.

“I think he needs to play more centrally, not as a winger, because wingers in today’s football are players you need to help defensively as well. When you play a little more centrally, the defensive work is much less than when you play as a winger.

“And I also think that a very talented player, closer to the goal, has more opportunities to score goals. [False nine] could be his ideal position.”