Brazil coach tells Neymar to prepare well for World Cup

SAO PAULO: New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti considers Neymar “a very important player” and has urged the injury-prone star “to prepare well” for the 2026 World Cup. “He must prepare well and he has the time to do that,” the Italian said in an interview with the South American football federation on Thursday. “He’s a very important player for us regarding the World Cup,” Ancelotti added. Neymar, 33, extended his contract with Brazilian side Santos to the end of the year this week.