Brazil and Argentina Identify New No. 10 Candidates as Neymar and Messi Eras Conclude

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has excluded Neymar from his latest squad following a 2026 World Cup exit to Norway, while Lionel Messi's final Argentina match is set for October 6.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has omitted Neymar from his latest squad for upcoming fixtures against Australia and India following a 2026 World Cup elimination by Norway. Ancelotti attributed the defeat to Norway to the second-half introduction of Neymar, stating the player destabilized the team. Chelsea's João Pedro was initially recalled to the squad but will miss the November 9-17 international window due to injury. Ancelotti is now prioritizing midfield development, calling up youngsters Gabriel Bontempo, Breno Bidon, and Martinelli to improve possession stats that lagged even during periods of control against Norway.

Lionel Messi is scheduled to play his final match for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires on October 6. To prepare for the post-Messi era, coach Lionel Scaloni has scheduled matches in Córdoba against Bolivia and Burkina Faso. Nico Paz of Como is a primary candidate for the No. 10 role, having already appeared in 11 games for the national team. Other contenders include Franco Mastantuono, who is currently on loan at Fiorentina, and Thiago Almada of River Plate, who is recovering from an injury.

Argentina previously utilized Julián Álvarez to fill the creative void when Messi missed eight of 18 qualifiers during the last World Cup cycle. While Scaloni’s contract expires at the end of the year, he has retained most of the World Cup squad for these transition matches. In Brazil, Andrey Santos and Douglas Luiz are set to compete for the holding midfield role previously occupied by Casemiro, providing a platform for Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha to lead the attack.