Brazil are no longer reliant on Neymar but his return could still make the difference in the moments that matter
There is something about reunions, something endlessly fascinating, and a Neymar return to the Brazil squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup will be exactly that. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man has not played for the Seleção since 2023 when he left a World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay with a serious injury in his left knee.
The discussion around whether or not Neymar will have a place in Brazil’s squad this summer has lingered for months, but this is largely because of his injury troubles rather than any doubt over his abilities or his weight in the Brazil team. It is nearly three years now since he last played for Brazil and by the time Carlo Ancelotti took charge last year the team were used to his absence.
Critics will have their opinions but it is difficult to see why Brazil should not try to accommodate the highest goalscorer in their history, a player who may long be past the peak of his powers but still possessing what few others do, wielding the gravitas, dragging Santos out of relegation last season.
Yes, Brazil are no longer dependent on Neymar in the way they were during the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, when much of their attacking play was built around him. The squad has evolved and there is attacking talent to be reckoned with. There is Vinicius Junior. Matheus Cunha has shone for Manchester United. Raphinha, if fit, is a remarkable weapon, and there is a case to be made for youngster Endrick, currently providing premium social media content with his performances for Lyon.
But that is hardly enough argument to completely drop the country’s all-time top scorer, still one of the greatest at creating chances in tight spaces and coming up with special moments. A World Cup can be about those special moments and Neymar even at 34 can deliver them.
Prepare-se… 💛
No dia 19/04, a história volta a ganhar vida dentro de campo. Ídolos que marcaram gerações e vestiram a amarelinha em momentos que viraram eternidade.
Eles já conquistaram o mundo uma vez…
Agora estão prontos para fazer de novo.Brasil Legends.
Porque quem é… pic.twitter.com/o9ZUJTyMq9— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) April 9, 2026
His fitness is the main argument against but this week Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, Brazil’s captain, said Neymar would not be discontented with a bench role.
“I think you’d have to have a conversation [with Neymar] and you’d come and talk: look, you’re not going to play as many games, but in a certain game, you’re going to be crucial for those 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or you’re going to play that game. I think it’s just a conversation,” Casemiro said.
It is a decision Ancelotti will have to ponder. There is an obvious risk in selecting a player who may not be able to handle the intensity of a World Cup, who may hit a setback in his first game and just watch the rest of the competition from the bench.
But the potential upside is also clear. Brazil are hardly world beaters at the moment and their odds of winning the tournament has probably never been lower. A spot for one of the most talented players in their history, the last of the jogo bonito era, with more goals than Pele or Rivaldo or Ronaldo Nazario, a World Cup veteran, is surely more than worth it.
Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title does not depend on Neymar in the way it once did. But his return could still make the difference in the moments that matter.
