Brazil superstar Neymar has admitted the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance at the biggest showpiece in world football while also exhuming confidence his nation would qualify.
Speaking to CNN, the 32-year-old who has not featured for the Selecao in more than a year stated he would give his best to feature in the tournament.
“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.”
Neymar also said to the American news outlet that he would not totally rule out a reunion with former Barcelona teammates and fearsome attack line, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
”Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar said at an award ceremony in Dubai.Brazil have struggled in their South American World Cup qualifying.
After 12 games of the 18 expected, they are fifth in the 10-nation group, although, the top six are guaranteed places in the World Cup and Brazil are five points ahead of Bolivia who sit in seventh.
“I have a lot of faith in the team, in the players who are emerging, who are young.
“We’re not in a position where we would like to be.
“I think together we can achieve something very big. We have a year, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the right things to reach the World Cup,” said Neymar.
Neymar had started Brazil’s first four qualifying games but went off due to an injury at half-time as they lost to Uruguay in October 2023. After knee surgery he was ruled out for a year.
He returned for to his Saudi club Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured his hamstring and has not played since. He however insisted he is targeting the World Cup.
“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,” he said.
Neymar will be 34 years of age by the time the competition in the USA, Canada and Mexico, is underway.
He could play in the United States before the mundial as Al Hilal will feature in the expanded Club World Cup in the United States in June where Miami, with Messi and Suarez, will also be involved.
“They are my friends,” continued Neymar, who also played with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. “We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio.”
“I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.
“When the news came out that I was leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the transfer window was closed in the United States, so I didn’t have this option.”
