Neymar (34 years old), Brazil’s top scorer, admitted that he is no longer the same footballer he was 10 years ago and that he knows that, if called up, the 2026 World Cup will be the last of his career.
I’m not going to be the Neymar of 10 years ago. I’m not going to be. It’s very different
“I’m not going to be the Neymar of 10 years ago. I’m not going to be. It’s very different. Today I improved my game in a way that, for me, is what is necessary,” said the former Barcelona and PSG striker in a video he posted on social media when referring to criticism of his physical condition.
The striker published the video two days after the coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti, left him out of the list of players called up for the friendlies that Brazil will play this month with France and Croatia, the last ones before the announcement of the 26 Brazilians who will play in the World Cup.
I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. And I say that with the utmost respect in the world. The world knows
The Italian coach, who took charge of the Canarinha in May last year and has so far not considered Neymar, said that the Santos striker needs to be 100% fit to be called up.
Neymar returned to Santos last year with the intention of recovering and returning to the Brazilian national team, with which he has not played since October 2023, when he suffered a serious injury in a match against Uruguay in the World Cup qualifiers.
Since then, he has spent more time on the sidelines with injuries and muscle problems than on the court, but he is confident that he will be considered because of his history.
“I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. And I say that with the greatest respect in the world. The world knows. They can attend matches and also training sessions,” he said
This is how Neymar found out about his non-call-up with Brazil: “Ancelotti, what about me?”
In the same video, he shared the moment when he found out that he had not been called up for the friendlies against France and Croatia, and only commented, jokingly: “What about me?”
“I know the quality I have and the power I have on the pitch. And I know what I can add. Obviously I want to go to the World Cup and obviously that motivates me,” he said of his intention to keep working to be included in the final list, which Ancelotti will announce on May 18.
Neymar: “It’s obvious that it’s my last World Cup. I don’t know if it’s my last year in the national team”
The 34-year-old striker also said that he is aware that the 2026 World Cup is the last in his career.
“It’s obvious that it’s my last World Cup. I don’t know if it’s my last year in the national team, but it’s coming to an end,” he said.
But he also admitted that for the first time he is not sure if he will be called up for the Brazilian national team.
“After I was called up for the first time, I always knew I would be in the others (call-ups). But this one is an unknown,” he said.
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