Will Neymar be at the World Cup? There is no answer to this question other than “yes” for thousands of soccer fans, but his presence at the sport’s biggest event is in doubt.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has not yet decided whether the Santos star will be one of his players called up for the World Cup, but said one of his team-mates not only wants him in the squad but also said the team “needs him”.
Rodrigo sends powerful message about Neymar
All teams are already gearing up to win the World Cup and Neymar, who is not guaranteed a spot, does not want to be left behind.
However, the Real Madrid star has no doubt that Neymar will be among the players who will travel to the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
For Goes, the midfielder remained an integral part of the team, protecting Ney’s place in Brazil and believing that their sixth World Cup victory would be incomplete without the number 10.
“Neymar in the World Cup? In my opinion, there won’t even be a debate,” Rodrigo said without hesitation on CazeTV’s Um Dia Com… program (via Sports Illustrated).
“I know he’s preparing to set himself up, but we can’t leave him out. It’s not as interesting without him. We need him,” he added.
Neymar has not played since December 7 last year, his last match being against Cruzeiro in the final round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. A few days later, on December 22, 2025, he underwent knee surgery to treat a torn medial meniscus.
Neymar’s fitness and the intensity level of the World Cup are two factors that will determine how Carlo Ancelotti will have to deal with him, leaving him in doubt.
The player, who will be 34 before the tournament, has shown signs of great form recently, but in the end everything will depend on his fitness and the manager’s final decision.
ESPN Brazil reports that the Italian manager has already decided on 18 of the 26 names, but Santos’ star player will not be among them. However, the words of Goes, who Ancelotti worked with at Real Madrid, may weigh heavily on the manager’s decision.
Moreover, this is not the first time Rodrigo has publicly supported a teammate, with Rodrigo pointing out that Brazil need an in-form Neymar to chase the title in 2024.
While he continues to recover and his future is set in stone, Neymar and Santos FC will face Mirasol on Wednesday, March 11th in Round 5 of the Brazilian Serie A Championship at the Estudio Jos María de Campos Maia.
Meanwhile, Brazil will be in Group C along with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland. They will make their debut against Morocco on Saturday, June 13th at New Jersey Stadium in New York.
