Brazil’s Neymar says FIFA World Cup 2026 will be his last

Neymar, the Brazilian forward, stated that this will be his last FIFA World Cup appearance, adding that he is confident Brazil will make it to North America’s final.

Neymar, who was once one of football’s most feared forwards, has since had long, unremarkable injuries. He currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it”, the 32-year-old attacker, who has not played for Brazil in more than a year, told CNN.

He also stated in the interview that he would not rule out joining former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer organization.

“Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible”, Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.

Brazil’s qualifying for the South American World Cup was difficult.

After 12 of the 18 rounds, they are fifth in the 10-nation group. However, Brazil is five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh place and the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup.

“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young”, he said. We don’t want to be where we’d like to be.

“I believe we can accomplish a lot together,” he said. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup. “

Brazil’s first four qualifying games were started by Neymar, who then injured himself at halftime as they lost to Uruguay in October 2023. He missed a year of service following knee surgery.

He made two brief appearances for Al Hilal in October and November, but he hasn’t played since because of a hamstring injury. He stated that the World Cup is in order.

” I want to be there, I’m going to try to do my best, to work very hard so that I can be with the Brazilian team. “

By the time the US, Canada, and Mexico competitions begin, he will be 34.

Before that, he could play in the US. Al Hilal will compete in the expanded Club World Cup in the US in June, where Messi and Suarez will also be playing.

” They are my friends. “said Neymar, who also played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain”. We still speak to each other. This trio could be revived, which would be interesting.

” I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.