‘Hope he can be there’: Messi, Ronaldinho back Neymar for 2026 World Cup

Neymar has received the backing of former teammates Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho to play for Brazil in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, set to begin on June 11 across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Speaking on the Lo Del Pollo show, Messi backed his former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain
teammate.

“We want the best players to be there [at the World Cup], and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said.

Brazil’s all-time leading scorer has not played for the national team since suffering an injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

The forward could also only make just 12 appearances for Santos across all competitions this year.

Messi admitted, however, that he cannot be objective when it comes to Neymar because of their close friendship.

“It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football. I hope he can be there, but I can’t be objective, because he always has to be there.

“Neymar is a friend. Obviously, I’d love for him to be at the World Cup, for good things to happen to him because he deserves it for the kind of person he is. And I hope he can be there.

“He has a very special charisma. He doesn’t put on an act; he lives his life as it is, according to what he feels, without worrying about the repercussions. He’s happy, and he’s very natural,” Messi added.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had earlier said Neymar could only make the 26-man squad if he is in perfect physical condition, though he added that the forward appears to be moving in the right direction.

For Ronaldinho, however, leaving Neymar out of Brazil’s squad “would be crazy”.

In a conversation with Denílson shared by GeGlobo, the World Cup winner said: “The only way I would understand it is if there’s some injury issue. But if he’s healthy, there’s no way he shouldn’t go, right? With all due respect to everyone else, in my opinion, he’s the best of them all.”