The injury-prone ahead, who performs at Saudi membership Al Hilal, desires to ‘work very laborious’ to be with the Brazilian staff on the subsequent World Cup.
Brazilian ahead Neymar has introduced that the FIFA World Cup 2026 can be his final, including he’s assured that Brazil will qualify for the finals in North America.
As soon as one in all soccer’s most feared forwards, Neymar performs membership soccer with Saudi Professional League aspect Al Hilal however has suffered lengthy stretches on the sidelines on account of recurring accidents.
“I do know this can be my final World Cup, my final shot, my final probability and I’ll do all the pieces I can to play in it,” the 32-year-old attacker, who has not performed for Brazil in additional than a 12 months, informed CNN.
He additionally informed the USA information community within the interview that he wouldn’t rule out reuniting with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Main League Soccer membership Inter Miami.
“Clearly, taking part in once more with Messi and Suarez can be unbelievable,” Neymar mentioned at an award ceremony in Dubai.
Brazil have struggled in South American World Cup qualifying.
After 12 of the 18 rounds, they’re fifth within the 10-nation group. However the high six are assured locations within the World Cup and Brazil are 5 factors forward of Bolivia in seventh.
“I’ve a variety of religion within the staff, within the gamers who’re rising, who’re younger,” he mentioned. “We’re not able the place we want to be.
“I believe collectively we are able to obtain one thing very massive. We have now a 12 months, a year-and-a-half to work, to do the fitting issues to succeed in the World Cup.”
Neymar began Brazil’s first 4 qualifying video games however went off injured at halftime as they misplaced to Uruguay in October 2023. After knee surgical procedure he was out for a 12 months.
He returned for Al Hilal with two transient appearances in October and November however injured a hamstring and has not performed since. He mentioned he’s focusing on the World Cup.
“I wish to be there, I’m going to attempt to do my finest, to work very laborious in order that I might be with the Brazilian staff.”
He can be 34 by the point the competitors within the US, Canada and Mexico kicks off.
He may play within the US earlier than then. Al Hilal will seem within the expanded Membership World Cup within the US in June the place Inter Miami, with Messi and Suarez, may even be competing.
“They’re my pals.” mentioned Neymar, who additionally performed with Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. “We nonetheless communicate to one another. It will be fascinating to revive this trio.”
“I’m completely happy in Saudi Arabia, however who is aware of? Soccer is stuffed with surprises.
“When the information got here out that I used to be leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the switch window was closed in the USA, so I didn’t have this selection.”
