Carlo Ancelotti has always been a masterful manager of people.

His record at Real Madrid proved it – two league titles and three Champions League crowns – as well as his sometimes forgotten spells at AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich where he also finished as a league winner.

Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa will certainly attest to his ability to control egos and manipulate them towards a common goal after they failed spectacularly in trying to follow in his footsteps at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Ancelotti was equally adept at managing upwards, keeping Madrid president Florentino Perez onside even when results on the field demanded greater scrutiny.

But has he pulled off his greatest Machiavellian feat yet by including Neymar in Brazil’s World Cup squad for the 2026 World Cup?

Ancelotti opted to select the 34-year-old, despite the fact he was hardly pulling up trees with Santos, rather than go with the younger, fitter and in-form Chelsea forward Joao Pedro.

Neymar managed six goals and two assists in 2026 for Santos with Ancelotti claiming: “We evaluated Neymar throughout the year, and we saw that in this last period he played consistently and improved his physical condition.”

Calf strain makes Ancelotti’s Neymar claims seem questionable

The truth is Brazil’s record scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances had not shown any significant improvement physically, a point laid bare by the fact he sustained a calf strain the night before the squad was named.

No matter, Neymar was in. The relief across Brazil was palpable.

The clamour for the former Barcelona and PSG star to go to another World Cup had increased by the week with social media campaigns growing in strength and numerous current and former players begging Ancelotti to relent and select a player that had not appeared for the Selecao since suffering an ACL injury in his left knee in October 2023.

The pressure was on the Italian and it seemed he had finally caved in, selecting someone he didn’t really want but had nevertheless gone along with the wishes of the Brazilian public.

Neymar is a doubt for Brazil’s opening game against Morocco on Saturday night and reportedly had to agree to certain conditions prior to his inclusion, one of which was an acceptance he would not be a part of the starting XI.

That is a remarkable concession to make for a player who has always been a central figure for club and country.

So if he will be nothing more than a benchwarmer, why is he going? It could be his status as a player the other squad members look up to – and this is something Vinicius Jr has talked about – adds an element of reassurance to the group. It could be he inspires other players to greater feats. It could be he is a positive presence in the dressing room.

But is that enough to warrant a place over Pedro, who scored 20 goals for Chelsea last season?

The sensible answer is no. 

Clever Ancelotti thinking long-term

The reason why Neymar was handed a place was due to self-preservation on Ancelotti’s part. The 67-year-old is no fool and he will know this is not a vintage Brazil side and they will do well to get past the quarter-final stage.

A midfield three of Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta will not frighten any of the world elite while the lack of a recognised striker will also hamper their chances.

If he feels failure is inevitable, is it better to make an early exit having sided with the fans or not? It’s an easy answer. By selecting Neymar he has already mitigated the personal criticism that would have otherwise come his way.

And having just signed a four-year contract extension, Ancelotti is playing the long game.

Don’t expect Neymar to make any significant impact at this World Cup, if he even appears at all. And certainly don’t think he will be a central figure for Brazil moving forward.

His call-up was not what it seems, Neymar is merely a puppet. Once again, Don Carlo has played a blinder.