Brazilian football ace Neymar Júnior has fiercely defended himself against the allegations regarding his physical readiness for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The forward of Santos said that he has received a lot of “nonsense” criticism regarding his physical state despite doing all necessary to prove his fitness and deserve to play for Brazil.
Neymar, 34, hasn’t participated in matches with the national team since 2023 due to a knee injury that kept him out of action for almost a year. However, Neymar claims that he feels fit enough to compete with other players of the squad.
“I feel physically great. I keep getting better in every match,” Neymar reportedly told reporters following the match against Coritiba FC.
Carlo Ancelotti Will Watch How Neymar Fares Physically
According to Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, the main criteria for Neymar’s participation in the next World Cup are his physical performance and readiness.
“We only need to assess his physical condition because Neymar’s talent has never been in question,” Ancelotti revealed in a recent press conference.
The manager added that Neymar’s callup to the team depends only on the forward’s fitness.
Brazil will try to win another World Cup title – and become the first nation ever to clinch a record-extending sixth triumph – in 2026, but Neymar’s experience could help Brazil secure victory.
Road Back From Injury for Neymar
For the past year, Neymar has had one of the toughest periods of his career because of his serious knee injury suffered in 2023. His fitness became subject to speculation because of several obstacles encountered during his recovery.
However, the player has successfully regained his fitness playing for Santos and showed signs of his famous creativity and skills. Reports claim that Neymar already scored important goals and provided assists for his team this season.
Neymar Was Furious After Being Substituted By Mistake
Notably, Neymar’s passion for football was also shown in the match against Coritiba FC, in which an offside officiating mistake resulted in Neymar being substituted.
After the fourth official accidentally showed his number, the Brazilian forward expressed his discontent about the decision and tried to stay in the game until he received a yellow card.
This incident quickly gained traction on social media, putting Neymar under even more pressure before announcing his inclusion in the next World Cup squad.
Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
As reported earlier, Brazil will participate in Group C at the FIFA World Cup in 2026 together with Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. The tournament will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Seleção will kick-off their campaign against Morocco before playing against Haiti and Scotland.
Winning the World Cup would probably be the last major achievement for Neymar during his career.