Brazil star Neymar has spoken openly about the criticism he faced during his long recovery from injury as he waits for Carlo Ancelotti to announce Brazil's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Santos forward said he is physically ready and believes he has done everything possible to prove his fitness after spending more than a year away from international football because of a serious knee injury.
Neymar's Long Road Back
The 34-year-old has not represented Brazil since 2023. A major knee operation kept him out of action for months and raised doubts about his future with the national team. Neymar said the recovery process was difficult, especially because of public criticism about his physical condition. Despite the challenges, he said he remained focused on rehabilitation and worked quietly to return to full fitness.
Confidence in World Cup Inclusion
After Santos FC's 3-0 loss to Coritiba, Neymar said he now feels stronger with every match and is satisfied with the work he has put in during his recovery. The Santos forward explained that returning from such a serious injury was never easy, but he stayed patient and committed to his training. He added that many comments about his fitness and lifestyle during recovery were unfair and painful to hear.
According to Neymar, he spent years working privately while dealing with constant outside criticism. He said people often judged him without understanding the sacrifices he made behind the scenes. The Brazilian forward stated that he continued pushing himself every day and is proud that he has managed to return in good condition.
Neymar also said he is pleased with his performances since coming back to action and believes he has reached the level he wanted before the World Cup squad announcement. However, he accepted that the final decision belongs to Ancelotti, who he believes will choose the best 26 players available for the tournament.
Substitution Incident
The forward was also involved in a tense moment during Santos' 3-0 defeat against Coritiba on Sunday after confusion over a substitution decision. Neymar strongly protested after he was mistakenly taken off during the match. The incident came just one day before Brazil's World Cup squad announcement.
Brazil's World Cup Ambitions
Brazil are aiming to win a record sixth FIFA World Cup title this summer. The South American giants will face Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland in the group stage of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across North America.
