Neymar on the bench, smiling — and with nine goals to remind Japan who he is
Neymar remains on the bench against Japan, but Ancelotti praises the star's attitude. Relive the nine goals the No. 10 has scored against the Japanese for Brazil.
Sixteen years with the national team and he had never experienced this. Neymar, a starter for Brazil since he was 18, arrives at his fourth World Cup in an unprecedented position: sitting on the bench. And, according to ge, he is at peace with it.
After recovering from a calf muscle injury that kept him off the pitch for five weeks, the No. 10 still lacks the match sharpness Ancelotti demands before handing him a starting spot. Brazil beat Scotland 3–0 without him, and the tendency, as ge has reported, is to keep the same lineup for Monday's round-of-16 clash against Japan.
But anyone who thinks Neymar is walking around with his head down is mistaken. Ancelotti has spoken openly about the star — and warmly. "He worked and trained to recover with great professionalism and great seriousness. He, with his qualities, can help the team at this World Cup," the manager said after the Scotland match. The day before, he was even more direct: "I am very happy with him. If he doesn't play, he helps with experience, knowledge of the game, he helps the younger players."
Neymar himself responded in kind. "I am ready to play for however many minutes it takes. I am here to help the national team," the forward declared.
And if he does come on, he will be facing the favourite victim of his career: in five matches against Japan for Brazil, Neymar has scored nine goals. Perhaps the tenth will come off the bench — something that has never happened to him at a World Cup.
Meanwhile, another young player is stealing the spotlight. Rayan, 19, took over the right wing after Raphinha's muscle injury and, according to Trivela, played an "invisible" but decisive role in the win over Scotland — earning Ancelotti's trust once and for all.
Golmetria's model gives Brazil a 5.44% chance of lifting the trophy — a number that rises sharply if the right pieces are in form at the right moment. Neymar knows it. So does Ancelotti.
The question is not whether he will come on. It's when — and what he will do when he does.