TIELEMANS & SANTOS MEME 😄 | VS. HULL CITY

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BRAZIL SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: NEYMAR ACHIEVES WORLD CUP DREAM AS CARLO ANCELOTTI OMITS CHELSEA STAR FEOM 26-MAN SELECTION

Brazil icon Neymar has been included in Carlo Ancelotti's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The Santos forward made the most recent of his 128 international appearances in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

Neymar's struggles with injuries over the last few years cast doubt over his involvement in the upcoming World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

However, the 34-year-old has ultimately done enough with Santos to prove to Ancelotti that he is in good physical condition and can perform to the level required in the upcoming tournament. 

The Brazil boss confirmed Neymar's inclusion to a great reception in a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. 

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, is set to feature in a fourth World Cup after representing his country at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Ancelotti leaves Chelsea star out of Brazil squad

While Neymar has achieved his World Cup dream, there was heartbreak for Chelsea forward Joao Pedro. 

The 24-year-old was a notable omission from the final 26-man squad, despite playing in Brazil's last two friendlies against France and Croatia. 

Pedro has staked a strong case with 23 goals and six assists in 52 competitive appearances this season. 

Rather than his club form, it seems that his failure to score in any of his eight international matches is a key factor in his omission.

Premier League well represented in Brazil World Cup selection

Brazil World Cup squad

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

Defenders: Gabriel (Arsenal), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Roger Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris St-Germain), Gabriel (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Alex Sandro (Flamengo)

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

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

Brentford striker Igor Thiago is one of those who got the nod over Pedro, rewarded for his 22-goal return in 37 Premier League games this season.

There are spots for the Arsenal duo of Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as the Manchester United pair of Casemiro and Matheus Cunha.

Liverpool's Alisson Becker, Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes and Bournemouth's Rayan are the other three Premier League players who have made the cut. 

Real Madrid are represented in the selection by Vinicius Junior and Endrick, the latter of whom has registered 16 goal contributions during a successful loan spell with Lyon.

Barcelona's Raphinha is also heading to the World Cup after returning from injury earlier this month. 

- Ben Sully 

SOCCER LEGEND PELÉ & SANTOS IN LAGOS | 1978

Squatting from left to right:

Felix Owolabi Akinloye former Nigeria left winger, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé (King Pele), Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal former Nigeria midfielder.

1978 at the National Stadium Lagos when Pelé played one half for the NFA Selected Side and the other half with Santos FC of Brazil.

COPA LEBERATADORES FINAL | 1962

1962🏆Copa Libertadores Final, Playoff

🏟Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires: 60,000

🇧🇷Santos–🇺🇾Peñarol 3-0

1-0 Caetano 11' (o.g.)

3-0 Pelé 48', 89'

#SantosFC

NEYMAR AK-HILAL CONTRACT TERMINATED

 

NEYMAR MAKES AL HILAL RETURN AFTER 12-INJURY LAYOFF

Neymar has made his first appearance in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear, coming off the bench in the second half of Al Hilal's AFC Champions League Elite clash against Al Ain.

The Brazil star replaced Nasser Al Dawsari in the 77th minute, just after Salem Al Dawsari had scored to put Al Hilal 5-3 ahead. He nearly made an instant impact, exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic to create space before firing his shot just wide of the left-hand post.

The game finished 5-4 to Al Hilal after the United Arab Emirates-based Al Ain scored a last-gasp penalty to narrow the scoreline.

On the pitch after the full-time whistle, Neymar said: "I feel good... I always have a good team. I'm so happy. I'm back! I'm back!

The former Paris Saint-Germain player suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during Brazil's qualifier against Uruguay shortly after joining the Saudi Pro League (SPL). He underwent surgery last November.

Neymar had joined the Al Hilal in August 2023 from PSG in a €90 million transfer, but played just five games before suffering the injury.

Neymar made his first appearance in over a year for Al Hilal. Francois Nel/Getty Images

Neymar's former club Santos congratulated the player on his return in a post on X.

"It was more than 12 months away from the field, with an immeasurable longing to return to doing what he loves so much," the Brazilian club wrote.

"Neymar is not just a star. It's not just genius. Neymar is synonymous with joy in football. His return is the happiness of millions of fans around the world. And, when it comes to fans, the Santos nation has an incomparable feeling. A more than special bond with the best Brazilian player of recent years."

The forward, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, missed the 2024 Copa América that was won by Argentina.

He is eligible to play in the AFC Champions League as there are no restrictions on the number of foreign players. However, he will only be able to be registered in January for the second half of the Saudi Pro League season.

SPL teams have limits to the number of foreign players that can be registered.

Eight foreign players born before 2003 can be registered for the squad, while the rules allow for two foreign players born in 2003 or after. Neymar's contract with Al Hilal expires in June 2025.

Saudi champions Al Hilal, coached by Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, lead the domestic standings having won all seven of their games.

Brazil's Football Confederation (CBF), meanwhile, are hopeful of having Neymar available in time for the November World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Brazil are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 games.

- Adriana Garcia

SANTOS FC STARTING XI

 

SOCCER KING PELÉ'S WAKE TAKES PLACE AT SANTOS' VILLA BELMIRO

PELÉ'S FUNERAL: PELÉ'S WAKE AT SANTOS' BELMIRO STADIUM

FIREWORKS GREAT PELÉ'S CASKET AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO SANTOS STA

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