Brazilian football star Neymar has announced that the FIFA 2026 World Cup will be his last chance to compete on football’s biggest stage. While injuries have limited his impact at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar is determined to represent Brazil and is optimistic about earning a place in the squad for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and the United States. And will be hosted by Mexico.
Brazil currently sit fifth in the South American World Cup qualifiers, with six matches left to secure a top-six spot for automatic qualification. Neymar, who is out of action until October 2023 due to ACL and meniscus tears, is hopeful of contributing to his national team’s campaign.
The 32-year-old forward, who recently became Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, described the upcoming World Cup as his “last chance” for glory. Speaking to CNN, Neymar said, “I will try, I want to be there. I will do everything possible to be part of the national team. This will be my last World Cup, my last chance, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in this.”
Reunion with Messi?
Neymar’s time at Al-Hilal has been blighted by injuries, limiting him to just seven appearances since transferring from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a reported fee of €90 million in 2023. His contract with the Saudi Pro League club runs until June 2024, but Neymar hinted at future possibilities, including a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) and reuniting with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis. Suarez at Inter Miami.
Neymar, Messi and Suárez are famously one of football’s most famous attacking trio, having led Barcelona to a historic signing in 2015 before Neymar’s record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million ($230.39 million) in 2017. Got triple place.
Reflecting on the possibility of reuniting with his friends, Neymar said, “Obviously, it would be incredible to play with Messi and Suárez again. They are my friends, we still talk to each other. It would be interesting to revive the trio. “I’m happy at Al-Hilal, I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows, football is full of surprises.”
Neymar also revealed that a move to Inter Miami in 2023 was not possible due to the MLS transfer window being closed. Instead, he chose Saudi Arabia, citing the appeal of the project for himself and his family.
“When the news came that I was leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the transfer window in the United States was closed, so I didn’t have the option (to move to Miami in 2023). “The project they offered me (in Saudi Arabia) was very good not only for me but also for my family, so going to Saudi Arabia was the best option,” Neymar said.