Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, Neymar, has fiercely defended his road to recovery, labeling external doubts about his condition as “nonsense.” The Santos forward remains confident that he has done everything in his power to prove he is in peak condition for a spot in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
The 34-year-old superstar has not featured for the Brazilian national team since 2023, following a series of debilitating injuries and major knee surgery that forced him into a year-long hiatus. With Ancelotti maintaining a strict policy that only fully fit and high-performing players will make the trip to North America, Neymar’s position has been heavily scrutinized. +1
Speaking to reporters following Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba, Neymar opened up about the emotional toll of his rehabilitation. He admitted the journey back was incredibly difficult but emphasized that he quietly endured the media circus and public criticism while focusing entirely on his training. He expressed deep satisfaction with his current physical progression, stating that he feels excellent and continues to improve with every match. +1
While Neymar has faith that Ancelotti will ultimately select the best 26 players to lead the national team, his final audition before the squad announcement featured an unexpected moment of drama. During the weekend defeat, the forward engaged in an angry sideline exchange after being mistakenly substituted off the pitch—a chaotic moment occurring just 24 hours before the official roster drop. +1
Brazil enters the upcoming tournament seeking a historic sixth World Cup title, having drawn Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in Group C.