Brazilian club Santos is making an intensive effort to help Neymar Junior regain full fitness in time for the upcoming World Cup, which begins on June 11. Reports suggest Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has nearly finalized his squad, possibly without Neymar, but the player and his club remain determined. Ancelotti is expected to announce the official squad on May 18, with the final deadline set for May 30. Brazil’s training camp starts on May 25, leaving Neymar roughly 40 to 52 days to prove his readiness.

Santos plans to play Neymar in at least 13 of their next 14 matches across the Brazilian Championship, Copa do Brasil, and Copa Sudamericana to help him regain match fitness. However, he will be rested for the Sudamericana opener against Deportivo Cuenca in Ecuador. Neymar recently underwent knee surgery and has been under medical supervision, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to accelerate recovery. Despite missing several training sessions, he continues double daily workouts to rebuild strength and conditioning.

Santos coach Cuca said the club’s priority is to have Neymar fully fit for the remaining matches, aiming to boost his chances of World Cup selection.

Brazil secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Croatia in their final warm-up match before the World Cup, held at Camping World Stadium in Florida. Carlo Ancelotti’s team dominated possession and attacking play from the start, taking the lead in first-half stoppage time through Danilo Santos after a counterattack initiated by Vinícius Júnior. Croatia equalized in the 84th minute with a goal from Lovro Majer, but Brazil quickly regained control as substitute Igor Thiago converted a penalty. In the closing moments, Endrick set up Gabriel Martinelli to seal the win.

The result boosted confidence for the five-time world champions ahead of the upcoming tournament. Brazil will submit a preliminary 55-man squad to FIFA on May 11 and play a farewell match against Panama at the Maracanã on May 31 before departing for the United States. Their World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin on June 13 against Morocco.

French football star Kylian Mbappé has expressed disappointment over Neymar Jr.’s exclusion from Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking to Brazil’s Globo media, Mbappé said he could not imagine a World Cup without Neymar, describing the Brazilian forward as one of the biggest stars in the sport. Neymar was left out of the national team after coach Carlo Ancelotti decided not to compromise on fitness standards, making his participation in the upcoming tournament uncertain.

Mbappé and Neymar played together at Paris Saint-Germain from 2017 to 2023, a period marked by both collaboration and reported tensions. Despite past differences, Mbappé praised Neymar’s talent and influence, calling him a player capable of making a major difference on the field. Neymar has been struggling with injuries and was not included in Brazil’s recent international friendlies, further fueling doubts about his readiness for the World Cup, which begins on June 11.

The final two friendly matches before the tournament are seen as Brazil’s last opportunity to finalize their squad, and Neymar’s absence from these games suggests his World Cup participation remains in serious doubt.

Brazil has implemented new regulations restricting minors' access to social media, effective from Tuesday. The rules aim to protect children and teenagers from exposure to violent and illegal content. The law, passed last year following a scandal involving the sexual exploitation of minors on Instagram, is now being enforced across the country.

Under the new system, users under 16 must link their accounts to those of their legal guardians, and digital platforms are required to introduce effective age verification mechanisms to prevent users under 18 from accessing pornographic or violent material. The National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) will oversee enforcement, with its director Iage Miola confirming that self-declaration of age is now prohibited. Companies violating the law could face fines of up to nine million US dollars, account suspensions, or bans for repeated offenses.

A transition period has begun to clarify the technical aspects of implementation. Experts note that Brazil’s approach extends beyond social media to broader internet regulation, setting it apart from other countries’ measures.

Brazil has revoked the visa of Darren Beattie, a far-right adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, after he planned to visit former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned in Brasília. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva confirmed the visa cancellation on Friday.

The move follows an earlier decision by the United States to cancel visas of Brazilian officials in Washington, D.C. Speaking at an event in Rio de Janeiro, Silva said Beattie had expressed his intention to meet Bolsonaro, but was told not to do so. Silva added that he had barred Beattie from entering Brazil until the U.S. released the visa of Brazil’s health minister.

Bolsonaro, a political ally of Trump, is serving a 27-year prison sentence for conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has prepared a preliminary squad for upcoming friendly matches against France and Croatia as part of the team’s World Cup preparations. Brazilian media outlets reported that Neymar Junior was included in the draft list but may not make the final selection. The Italian coach plans to observe players closely before announcing the final squad on Monday.

Neymar, who recently suffered another muscle injury, missed Santos’ match against Mirassol, which Ancelotti attended from the stands. Local reports suggest that his absence from this game could cost him a place in Brazil’s friendly lineup. However, Neymar is expected to play against Corinthians in the Brazilian Serie A next Sunday, his only chance to prove fitness before the final squad announcement.

Brazil will face France on March 26 and Croatia on April 1 as part of their pre-World Cup schedule.

Motorcycle influencer Karla Thaynnara Nogueira, 25, died after being thrown from her bike and run over by a truck on a highway in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, around 8 a.m. Tuesday. Police said the truck driver tried to avoid her but was unable to. Nogueira, a mother of a seven-year-old daughter, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her father, Jose Carlos Andrade Nogueira, a former police officer, came upon the crash site and discovered his daughter’s body. Overcome with grief, he died by suicide shortly afterward, according to police. Tributes in Portuguese have since appeared on Karla’s Instagram account, where she had nearly 60,000 followers and frequently posted fitness and motorcycle-related content.

Authorities are investigating the crash. The influencer and her father are scheduled to be buried today. Karla’s final social media post, a workout video, was uploaded two weeks before her death.

A former personal cook has filed a lawsuit against Brazilian football star Neymar Jr., accusing him of forcing her to work under inhumane conditions at his luxury mansion in Mangaratiba. The report, citing court documents published by Brazilian outlet Metropoles, states that the woman was required to cook not only for Neymar but also for around 150 of his friends and companions.

According to the case file, the woman often worked up to 16 hours a day, sometimes until 11 p.m. or midnight, and was compelled to work even on weekends. She reportedly had to stand for long periods and carry heavy grocery bags, including 10 kilograms of meat, which led to chronic back pain and hip inflammation.

The plaintiff is seeking approximately 262,000 Brazilian reals from Neymar, covering unpaid wages, overtime, medical expenses, and other dues. The report did not mention any response from Neymar or his representatives regarding the allegations.

Severe rainfall in Brazil’s southeastern Minas Gerais state has caused devastating floods, killing at least 23 people and leaving more than 40 missing, according to local authorities. The worst-hit area is Juiz de Fora municipality, where 18 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue teams are searching for survivors trapped under mud and debris, while nearby Ubá city reported seven additional fatalities. At least 440 residents have been displaced as floodwaters and landslides destroyed homes and infrastructure.

Juiz de Fora’s mayor, Margarida Salomão, said the city experienced over 180 millimeters of rain in just four hours, triggering at least 20 landslides. She described the event as the most tragic day of her administration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged full government support, emphasizing humanitarian aid, restoration of essential services, and assistance for displaced families.

The national meteorological agency warned that rainfall may continue in the coming days, potentially complicating ongoing rescue and relief operations across the affected regions.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has suggested that he may retire from professional football by December this year. The forward, currently playing for his boyhood club Santos, said he is uncertain about his future and may decide to end his career when his contract expires at the end of the year. Neymar, who recently returned to the field after knee surgery in December, admitted that recurring injuries have made him reconsider his career path.

After an unremarkable stint with Saudi club Al Hilal, Neymar returned to Santos in early 2025 and renewed his contract through the end of the current year. However, his repeated injuries have kept him sidelined for much of the past two years, and he last played for Brazil in October 2023. The player acknowledged that his participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada remains uncertain.

Neymar said his final decision will depend on how he feels later this year, emphasizing that he is taking his career one year at a time.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has stated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should be tried in Venezuela rather than in the United States, where he is currently being held following his abduction by the US military. In an interview, Lula said that restoring democracy in Venezuela should be the priority and insisted that the country’s issues must be resolved by its own people without foreign interference. He criticised the idea of one nation invading another to capture its president.

Lula’s remarks come as Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, works to release hundreds of political prisoners detained during Maduro’s presidency, which began in 2013. The Brazilian leader has openly condemned the abduction of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a US military operation ordered by then-President Donald Trump on January 3. Maduro was flown to New York after a violent raid in Caracas and now faces US charges related to drug trafficking.

The Trump administration has justified its actions as part of anti-drug efforts, though US data does not list Venezuela among major drug producers. Trump has also expressed interest in Venezuelan oil reserves and invited US companies to exploit them.

With only four months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is finalizing his squad. According to ESPN Brazil, the Italian manager has nearly settled on 11 players based on current form and consistency, sparking debate as star forward Neymar Jr. is reportedly absent from the list. Ancelotti’s Brazil has played eight matches under his guidance, showing moderate results but gaining a stable core lineup.

Reports indicate that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defenders Marquinhos and Gabriel, and midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães are among the confirmed names. In attack, Vinícius Júnior, Estevão, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Matheus Cunha, and Gabriel Martinelli have earned Ancelotti’s trust. Neymar’s participation in the World Cup remains uncertain and will depend on his fitness evaluation. Additional players such as Bento, Hugo Souza, Alex Sandro, and Lucas Paquetá are also being considered.

Brazil is viewed as one of the favorites for the upcoming tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as Ancelotti continues refining his tactical plans for a potential sixth World Cup title.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. nearly decided to retire from football following his latest injury, according to his father and agent, Neymar Sr. In a recent interview on a YouTube channel, Neymar Sr. said his son was mentally devastated after suffering a meniscus injury that became public before the family could discuss it. He recalled visiting Neymar, who expressed that he could no longer endure the pain and uncertainty about surgery.

Neymar Sr. added that he encouraged his son to undergo surgery if it would help him recover, assuring full support. The next morning, Neymar resumed light training, regaining confidence and eventually returning to score again. Fans now hope he can return to the field by the end of this month and fight for a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, suffered ACL and meniscus injuries in October 2023. After leaving Saudi club Al Hilal for Santos, he underwent minor knee surgery on December 22 and continues his recovery to regain full fitness.

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has renewed his contract with Santos FC for another year, extending his stay with the club until December 31, 2026. The announcement ends speculation that he might leave his boyhood team. According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Neymar will remain with Santos at least until the end of club president Marcelo Teixeira’s term. The new deal marks his third contract since returning to Santos, following two six-month agreements in 2025.

Under the new terms, Neymar will earn a salary comparable to several average players at the club. In addition to his playing contract, Santos has a separate image rights agreement with NR Sports, a company owned by Neymar’s family, valued at 85 million Brazilian reals to be paid by the end of next year. Neymar is currently recovering from meniscus surgery on his left knee, with a return to the field expected no earlier than mid-February.

Santos credits Neymar’s performance last season for avoiding relegation, as he scored four goals and provided one assist in three decisive 3–0 victories despite playing through injury.

A 110-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty collapsed in Guaíba, southern Brazil, during a powerful storm on Monday afternoon. The statue, located in the parking lot of a Havan retail store near a fast-food restaurant, was severely damaged as strong winds caused it to sway and eventually break apart. Authorities confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred.

According to NDTV, the replica was one of several similar installations across Brazil, symbolizing the retail chain’s brand identity. The upper 24 meters of the structure were destroyed, while the 11-meter base remained intact. Havan stated that the statue, installed in 2020, had all required technical certifications. Following the collapse, the area was cordoned off to ensure public safety, and cleanup operations began within hours.

Local officials are assessing the extent of the damage and reviewing safety standards for similar structures nationwide. The incident highlights growing concerns about infrastructure resilience amid increasingly severe weather patterns in southern Brazil.