TThe countdown to the 2026 World Cup is filled with anticipation, but also with great uncertainty: Neymar’s future with the Brazilian national team.
In recent hours, the former PSG player and 1994 World Cup winner with Brazil has made comments that have sparked debate over whether the 34-year-old forward is fit for the tournament.
Should Neymar go to the World Cup?
La Souza Vieira de Oliveira, known simply as “Ra”, appeared on the show “Rozen Senflam” and spoke about the situation in Canarinha ahead of the long-awaited tournament and, of course, about Neymar.
The Brazilian legend warned that Brazil would be uncompetitive without the number 10 and praised him, but pointed out that his fitness could be decisive.
“When he comes, he’s going to have an impact on the team,” Rahr said. “Coach Ancelotti sees what the players are thinking. He is an insightful coach. He will know how to tell whether Neymar is having a positive impact on the team.”
“He’s not in the best shape. He has a lot of physical problems. He hasn’t been able to get back to his top form and his speed has dropped. Of course, he still makes great passes. He’s a star. But I don’t think he’s at the level he needs to be right now.”
The concerns are serious. Neymar has suffered a number of injuries in recent years and is still struggling to regain consistency. In the summer of 2023, Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al Hilal, but his time at the Saudi club did not go as planned due to injuries, and after canceling his contract with the Saudi club, he returned to Santos in 2025.
His place in the national team will largely depend on persuading Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching team, who have vowed to only select players in the best possible condition, but a lack of fitness could be another decisive factor in Carletto’s decision.
As a matter of fact, he has not played for the national team again since his last match for Verde Amarera on October 17, 2023 (he injured his knee in the South American qualifying match against Uruguay).
He played in nine games for Peixe, scoring four goals (three in the league and one in the Sudamericana) and providing four assists. However, he missed several matches as a precaution, and for Brazil’s friendlies against Croatia and France in March (he was not called up), he underwent regenerative surgery using platelet-rich plasma to speed up his recovery, strengthen his joint tissues and return him to his best physical condition.
Neymar is currently scheduled to return to action against Bahia in Brasileiro on Saturday the 24th at 5:30 pm ET, but Neymar is expected to miss that game and be rested so that he can play in the Copa Sudamericana match against Argentina’s San Lorenzo on the 28th starting at 6 pm ET.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti is set to announce his final World Cup squad on May 18th, and it will be finally known whether Neymar’s name will be included on that day.
