Exclusive: Aílton: “He is not the Neymar of before, but if I were the coach, I would call him up.”
By Gender Vera and Raúl Castillo
Aílton currently serves as an ambassador for Werder Bremen, the club where he became the Bundesliga top scorer in 2004.
The former Brazilian striker, now an ambassador for Werder Bremen, discussed the lingering questions surrounding a potential World Cup call-up for Neymar (34), the current form of Luis Díaz (29) in the Bundesliga, and Bayern Munich’s dominance.
Aílton Gonçalves da Silva, known globally simply as Aílton, has earned a well-deserved place in Bundesliga history, especially with Werder Bremen. He ranks as the fifth-highest foreign scorer in the German league. In the 2003/04 season, he etched his name into the club’s legacy, securing both the league title and the top scorer award. With his vast experience, Aílton is well-equipped to discuss German football, Bayern Munich’s undeniable supremacy, and Neymar’s chances of making Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Here is what the former Brazilian striker shared with Flashscore.
**World Cup 2026: The Neymar Case and Title Favorites**
Let’s talk about the World Cup. Which teams are your favorites?
I would say France, Argentina, and England have strong squads. Germany and Brazil carry the weight of their jerseys and tradition, but Spain is very strong. In a World Cup, anything can happen.
Germany is doing well now, but we don’t know how they’ll play tomorrow. Brazil is very inconsistent; the players lack confidence. They have a renowned coach (Carlo Ancelotti), but it’s the players who have to perform, and I don’t see the confidence to say ‘I am Brazil’ heading into a World Cup. Right now, they aren’t showing great football. But as a Latin American, I’ll go with Argentina and Brazil; in Europe, France, Spain, and possibly Germany.
For Aílton, Brazil is not the top favorite to win the World Cup this year.
Should Ancelotti call up Neymar?
To compete in a World Cup, you need to be at a very high physical and mental level because it is extremely difficult. I never played in a World Cup, but I see it’s a tough competition. Neymar has undeniable quality, but he must change his style of play because he is no longer the Neymar of before; his physical condition is not the same. However, he is a player who can make one move and change the entire game. If I were the coach, I would call him up and include him in my World Cup squad.
Individually, which players do you think will arrive at the World Cup in great form?
France has players who will make a difference in the World Cup. There’s Mbappé and Olise from Bayern. Both are impressive.
**Bayern’s Power and a Look at the Bundesliga**
Given your deep knowledge of the Bundesliga, what do you think of Bayern Munich’s double championship?
Talking about Bayern is very easy; they are the best team, they have the best players, and their offensive performance this season is excellent. They have players with great potential to decide matches, and it is normal in Germany that Bayern is in a good moment.
As a winger, do you think Luis Díaz is among the top five in the world?
Yes, the player has grown a lot and has fit into the system very well. For a Latin American, making a change is a bit difficult due to language, mentality, and the structure and culture in Germany. But since he already played in Liverpool, it helped him a lot to adapt well in Europe. He is playing very well; for me, he is among the best offensive players in Europe and has connected very well with Harry Kane. That’s why Bayern has great offensive power and is a favorite in the Champions League.
If we compare the era when he played as a player and the
