In addition to declaring that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his final, Brazilian striker Neymar expressed his confidence that his country will advance to the North American championships.
In an interview with CNN, he said, “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance, and I will do everything I can to play in it.”
Brazil has had trouble qualifying for the World Cup in South America. Neymar, who plays club football for Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, was once one of football’s most feared forwards. However, he has missed extended periods owing to recurrent injuries.
They are in fifth place in the 10-nation group after 12 of the 18 rounds. However, Brazil is five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh position, and the top six finishers are assured spots in the World Cup.
In the interview with the US television network, he also stated that he would not rule out getting back together with former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi at Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami.
“Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible.” Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.
Neymar’s Injury
Source: CNN
The Brazilian forward Neymar, who plays for Al-Hilal now, has had a lot of injury problems lately.
In a World Cup qualifying encounter against Uruguay on October 17, 2023, he landed awkwardly during a challenge and completely ruptured his left knee’s meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Due to this serious injury, which necessitated surgery, he has been out for a long time and will probably miss the rest of the 2023–24 campaign.
Neymar had a history of injuries before this that limited his playing time. He spent weeks receiving treatment after suffering a metatarsal injury in January 2019.
He was also hindered by hamstring concerns throughout the 2019–20 season, and since then, adductor problems have regrettably become more frequent. The attacker has also consistently suffered from ankle problems.
Neymar has stated his resolve to get back on the field and pursue his career in spite of these difficulties. In an effort to have a big influence with the Brazilian national team, he has also expressed his wish to play in the 2026 World Cup.
Retirement instead of reintegration
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly sold Neymar to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League for a fee of $98 million in the summer, citing concerns about his physical condition.
After joining the team in 2017 for a record €222 million from Barcelona, he scored 118 goals in 178 appearances and won five Ligue 1 titles, although he also missed more than 100 games because of injuries.
This is not to argue that Neymar isn’t deserving of appreciation for his professional accomplishments.
After making his debut in the Santos first team as a teenager, he wowed onlookers with his dribbling prowess and, at the age of 21, had already secured a transfer to one of the greatest clubs in the world.
Along with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, he made up one third of what is perhaps the most formidable attacking trio in history while he was at Barcelona.
Neymar has struggled to win the World Cup and Copa America, but it’s not for lack of trying. In 25 appearances at those important competitions, he has 13 goals and 8 assists to his credit.
Additionally, some of the memories from those performances will endure forever. Even though his team lost on penalties, his goal in Brazil’s 2022 World Cup quarterfinal matchup against Croatia is one of the best ever scored on that stage.
Neymar has been an excellent servant, but by keeping himself open to selection, he runs the risk of destroying a hard-won legacy. The time has come for Neymar to leave his Brazil duties in order to usher in a new era for a team with more success potential than any of the ones he was a part of.
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