Brazil has spent decades wrestling with the same World Cup question: how much risk is worth taking on a superstar? From Zico’s injury-hit campaign in 1986 to Neymar’s fractured vertebra in 2014 and ankle setback in 2022, the Selecao have repeatedly gambled on iconic players whose fitness remained uncertain.

Now, the Selecao find themselves facing a familiar dilemma once again. Neymar Jr. has been ruled out of Brazil’s second FIFA World Cup group-stage game against Haiti, reigniting debate over whether Carlo Ancelotti was right to include the 34-year-old in his squad despite his recent injury concerns.

The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed Neymar will remain in New Jersey rather than travel with the squad to Philadelphia. “He will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process, making use of the excellent facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training center,” the federation said in an official statement.

The injury dates back to May 17, when Neymar was forced off during Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba. While the issue was initially viewed as minor, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar later revealed scans showed a Grade 2 strain in Neymar’s right calf, an injury that typically requires between two and three weeks of recovery.

The timing was particularly unfortunate given Neymar’s resurgence at Santos. The forward recorded six goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions and had done enough to convince Brazil’s coaching staff that he could still influence matches at the highest level despite his recent injury struggles.

Those performances ultimately convinced Ancelotti to take the risk.

“Neymar is an important player for this country because of the talent he has always shown. But he has had problems ​and is working hard to recover. He has improved a lot recently and is playing regularly. It is, obviously, not ⁠such an easy decision for me. We have to weigh up the pros and cons carefully,” Ancelotti told Reuters on his decision to pick the record Brazilian scorer.

Ancelotti has continued to defend the decision throughout the tournament, insisting Neymar’s value extends beyond his technical quality. The Italian has repeatedly pointed to the forward’s experience, leadership, and ability to influence high-pressure matches as factors that justified his inclusion despite the injury concerns.

Neymar has resumed individual training and light ball work, but Brazil’s coaching and medical staffs have opted for a cautious approach. While no official return date has been announced, the expectation inside camp is to prioritize his availability for the knockout rounds rather than risk a setback during the group stage.

Fans accuse Ancelotti of crumbling to pressure

Brazil’s opening draw against Morocco only intensified scrutiny surrounding Neymar’s selection. As frustration over the result spread among supporters, the discussion quickly shifted toward whether Brazil had taken an unnecessary gamble on an injured star.

Much of the criticism centers on the players who were left at home. Chelsea forward Joao Pedro emerged as the most common comparison after scoring 20 goals and registering nine assists across 49 appearances for the Premier League club during the season.

The criticism has not been limited to social media. Former Brazil goalkeeper Wagner Fernando Velloso publicly questioned Ancelotti’s decision, saying on Novabrasil em Campo: “I would not call up Neymar for the World Cup. To take Neymar and not take Pedro is an absurdity of those that football allows.”

Velloso argued that Brazil prioritized reputation and potential over immediate availability, a sentiment that has echoed throughout portions of the Brazilian media since Neymar’s latest setback.

“Should never have been selected in the first place. I didn’t think Ancelotti would crumble to the pressure of Neymar’s public campaign to be selected. Joao Pedro should be there, regardless of whether he was in form for Brazil or not. At least he’d be able to contribute!” a fan who was extremely critical of Neymar’s inclusion wrote.

“He took the space of another player just for him to watch from the bench and have 0 contributions? What a disgrace,” another fumed as Neymar was ruled out of the second game. If he fails to return for the knockouts, the scrutiny will only intensify. Brazil are in a must-win territory against Haiti, as a draw or defeat will make their final group stage encounter against Scotland a do-or-die in Group C.

Another fan had an interesting perspective that Neymar was taken to the World Cup to act as a leader for Brazil’s attack that lacked big-match experience. “If we are being honest, Neymar was not taken to the World Cup to play; I think they took him there to act as a leader, someone who the players can listen to because they look up to him, but is this even right? I mean, there are players who are fit but didn’t make the team.”

That argument has also been echoed inside Brazil’s camp. Captain Danilo recently said Neymar remains capable of “unbalancing opponents” simply through the attention he commands from defenders, while Casemiro described him as a natural leader who would accept a reduced role if it benefited the team.

However, a few fans were still hopeful Neymar could still make meaningful contributions to this Brazil team.

“Ancelotti benching Neymar vs Haiti is the right call. 24 hours back in training isn’t enough. Protecting him now means Brazil gets the real Neymar when it actually matters,” a fan added, while another wrote, tbh ancelotti making the right call here because throwing Neymar back in after one day of training is just asking for another injury 🇧🇷.”

“Bro returned to training 24 hours ago, and they wanted him to start…..? Relax, let the man heal properly. The haters will be quiet when he’s dropping assists in the quarters,” a fan declared as they had full confidence in Neymar Jr’s ability.

Injuries have shaped every World Cup campaign of Neymar’s international career. A fractured vertebra ended his 2014 tournament before Brazil’s infamous 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany, while fitness concerns lingered throughout the 2018 campaign after a foot injury disrupted his preparation. In 2022, an ankle injury forced him to miss two group-stage matches before returning for the knockout rounds.

Brazil’s willingness to wait for Neymar is rooted partly in history and partly in statistics. Since his international debut in 2010, Brazil have won nearly 72 percent of matches in which he has featured. Without him, that figure drops to roughly 55 percent, while the team’s defeat rate more than doubles.

That dependence has become part of the wider debate surrounding his selection. Critics argue Brazil must move beyond relying on a physically vulnerable superstar, while supporters point to a track record that suggests few players in world football can influence matches the way Neymar can.

For now, the debate remains unresolved. Brazil have chosen to bet that Neymar’s experience, creativity and influence will matter more in the knockout rounds than another player’s availability in the group stage. Whether that decision is remembered as foresight or miscalculation may ultimately depend on whether Neymar takes the field again.