The Painful Irony: João Pedro’s 26 Goal Contributions Ignored as Neymar Played Just 40 Minutes at the World Cup
It’s the kind of decision that will be debated for years in Brazilian football circles.
Despite putting together one of the most impressive individual seasons by a Brazilian striker in recent memory — 20 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League — João Pedro was left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. The reason? To include Neymar.
The 24-year-old Chelsea forward had been in sensational form, offering exactly the kind of consistent goal threat and work rate that many felt Brazil needed. Instead, the spot went to the 34-year-old icon, whose body had been failing him for years.
In the end, Neymar’s total playing time across the entire tournament amounted to roughly 40 minutes.
Brazil crashed out in the round of 16 against Norway. Neymar, visibly emotional after the defeat, announced his international retirement on the spot. João Pedro, who had been performing at the highest level week after week in England, watched from home.
A Selection That Aged Badly
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad selection was always going to be scrutinized, but few expected it to backfire quite so quickly. Including Neymar was sold as a “final dance” — one last chance for the greatest Brazilian talent of his generation to shine on the biggest stage.
Instead, it became a painful reminder of how quickly football moves on.
João Pedro wasn’t just scoring goals — he was doing it with the kind of consistency and physicality that modern international football demands. At 24, he represented the present and the future. Neymar, for all his genius, represented the past.
The numbers don’t lie. One player delivered 26 goal contributions in a top league. The other barely stepped onto the pitch.
What Could Have Been
It’s impossible not to wonder “what if.”
What if Brazil had taken the in-form Premier League striker instead of banking on sentiment and past glories? Would the attack have looked more dynamic? Would the team have found a different rhythm in the knockout stages?
We’ll never know.
What we do know is that João Pedro was made to sit and watch while a player who could barely run was given the stage — and the stage collapsed underneath him.
Brazil’s early exit and Neymar’s retirement have closed one chapter. But the debate over that squad decision is only just beginning.
Sometimes the most expensive luxury in football isn’t a big name. It’s the opportunity cost of the player you left behind.
