Star Neymar, number 10 for the Brazilian team in the last three World Cups, is willing to play in his fourth national team tournament. In an interview with the French channel “RMC”, the athlete said that he is aiming to compete in the 2026 World Cup.
– Obviously the World Cup is the goal of all players. I’ve already played three times, obviously I want to do the fourth. I have to be focused on this, prepare well here and have this medium-term objective after returning to form here at my club – said the Brazilian star.
Neymar will arrive in 2026, the year of the World Cup, aged 34. For comparison purposes, Lionel Messi, champion with Argentina in 2022, was 35 years old at the time of the victory.
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The big question about Neymar going to the World Cup is the player’s physical issue. Neymar suffered a serious knee injury in October 2023, returned to the pitch at the end of October 2024, but suffered a new injury, this time muscular, which will only make him return to football in 2025.
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Will Neymar be called up to the national team when he recovers?
Coach Dorival Júnior, current commander of the Brazilian team, has already warned that, when Neymar is physically fit, he will be called upon to defend Amarelinha. The situation, however, depends on the player’s physical condition and his current situation at Al-Hilal, in Saudi Arabia, his current club.
– We are realizing how important Neymar is. That in the coming years, from the moment he returns, we can enjoy one of the great players in world football in a remarkable moment in his career and in our national team. Let’s wait, we have patience. He has to be confident, acting and, above all, completely clear about this injury, which was not simple, it takes time, with respect to the procedures that were carried out. It’s a matter of waiting. I hope that, up front, we can enjoy the ability of an athlete like this – explained Dorival in October 2024.
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How much time did Neymar miss with injuries?
According to the specialized platform “Transfermarkt”, since the 2017/18 season Neymar has already missed 1,150 days injured, which is more than three full years away from the field in around seven and a half years, almost half the period.
In addition to the serious rupture of the knee ligaments, an injury suffered in October 2023, the athlete had to undergo an ankle operation in 2023, in addition to having suffered two metatarsal fractures and several muscle problems.
Will Neymar leave Al-Hilal?
According to the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, Al-Hilal decided to register Neymar in the Saudi Championship in the window that opens in January. He was off the list due to the serious injury to his left knee suffered in October 2023.
Coach Jorge Jesus considered not signing up Neymar due to the limit of foreigners for each squad. But the club decided that the Senegalese defender Koulibaly is leaving. Between Neymar and Koulibaly, the defender had chances and didn’t do well. The Brazilian can still have better days.
Neymar was only registered for the club in the Asian Champions League. Now, with a full calendar, the striker must fulfill his contract with Al-Hilal until the end, on June 30, 2025. In January, however, he will be able to sign a pre-contract with another club – and Al-Hilal has no desire to try to extend the contract.
The Saudi Championship allows up to ten foreign players per team, but with restrictions. Two of these athletes must be born after 2003. Only Marcos Leonardo is under 21 and falls under the rule. Per match, Al-Hilal can only list eight foreigners.
What are Neymar’s numbers?
Santos
Barcelona
PSG
Al Hilal
Brazilian team
