Neymar Admits Brazil FIFA World Cup Spot Not In His Hands: 'Whether I Am There Or...'

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 08:18 IST

Neymar wants to rejoin Brazil's national team for the FIFA World Cup despite a subdued match for Santos FC against Corinthians.

Star Brazil forward Neymar has said that he definitely wishes to go back into the national team and play the upcoming FIFA World Cup, but he knows very well that the selection is not upto him and even if he doesn’t feature, the team would still have his full support.

Neymar’s tough road to the upcoming FIFA World Cup took another hit after a quiet outing for Santos FC in a 1-1 home draw against rivals Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in a Brazilian league clash on Sunday, March 15.

It was Neymar’s final game before Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti names his team for two key friendlies on Monday and the forward admitted afterwards that while he wants to return to the national team, the decision is not in his hands.

“I wish to go back to the national team and play in the World Cup, but that isn’t up to me. Whether I am there or not, I will always cheer for Brazil," Neymar said.

He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 international goals.

Brazil’s friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States will serve as the final games before Ancelotti names his team in May for the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to Sunday, July 19.

The 34-year-old Neymar returned against Sport Club Corinthians Paulista after missing the previous game that Ancelotti had attended.

Star Dutch forward Memphis Depay opened the scoring for Sport Club Corinthians Paulista in the 19th minute at Vila Belmiro on Sunday, March 15, before Gabriel Barbosa equalised just four minutes later.

Neymar’s best chance on Sunday, March 15, came from a second-half header that went wide. The Santos FC forward otherwise struggled in possession and couldn’t register a shot on target.

Two representatives from the Brazilian Football Confederation were in attendance at the game in Santos, São Paulo, the club said.

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