Ancelotti Explains Why Neymar Sat Out Brazil’s Win Over Japan

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed he kept Neymar on the bench during the 2-1 World Cup 2026 victory over Japan. Ancelotti said he had planned to introduce Neymar after halftime but decided to protect him while the score was still level. He described the move as a tactical precaution to safeguard his star player. The coach stressed that preserving Neymar’s fitness was his top priority once Brazil took the lead.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.