Lucas Paquetá is pushing hard for one of Brazil's last World Cup places, and Carlo Ancelotti has been unusually direct about why. The Brazil manager said: "For the quality he has, Paqueta has to be here with us". That public backing sits alongside a run of form that gives the midfielder a real case.
Paquetá played 18 Premier League matches in 2025, scoring 4 goals and adding 1 assist, with a 6.89 rating. Across the 2025 season in all competitions, he has 5 goals in 13 appearances. After missing 7 matches between 18 April and 14 May because of thigh oedema, the numbers suggest he has returned to being a useful, flexible option rather than a player relying on reputation.
Why Ancelotti likes Paquetá
Ancelotti's other line on him was just as important: "He can play in different ways. Today he played as an attacking midfielder; he can also play as a second defensive midfielder without any problem. He has great quality on the ball". That versatility matters in a squad fight this tight. Paquetá is not being sold as a specialist, he is being presented as a midfielder who can fit different roles without the team needing a rebuild around him.
The form supports the argument. In his most recent five matches, Paquetá has 1 goal and 1 assist. He also posted a 7.2 rating in the League Cup, which is better than his 6.89 Premier League mark. None of that guarantees anything, but it does back up the idea that he has offered more than a brief hot streak.
Neymar's latest cameo adds noise, not clarity
Neymar's situation looked messier. He was accidentally substituted off in the 65th minute after a fourth official's board error, then explained: "I knew Robinho was coming in, but I wasn't even watching [the board]. I didn't know I had been substituted, I had not seen the board. It was a very serious mistake by the officials, by the fellow who puts the numbers on the board." It was a strange moment, and not a helpful one for a player still under scrutiny.
The selection debate around him still exists. Some reports suggest he could get a last-minute call-up, while others say breaking into the final 26-man squad will be much harder. That split makes sense. Neymar remains Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, but the brief does not support turning that into a selection guarantee.
Ancelotti will announce Brazil's 26-man World Cup squad on Monday 18 May. On current evidence, Paquetá looks the cleaner pick.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
