Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer, has expressed his desire to participate in the 2026 World Cup, even after facing a lengthy injury absence of over 13 months from international matches.
The 32-year-old athlete surpassed Pelé’s record by netting his 78th goal out of 79 during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in September 2023. However, he suffered a rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament in a match against Uruguay the following month.
“The World Cup is the goal for all players,” Neymar shared with RMC. “I’ve already participated in three [tournaments], and I aim to play in a fourth.”
“I must stay focused on that, prepare well with my club [Al-Hilal], and maintain this medium-term goal after I regain my fitness at the club.”
Rodygo assisting Neymar to break Pelé’s all-time goalscoring record for Brazil 🥺🇧🇷
Santos history 🤍 pic.twitter.com/dRWHMhONvE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 9, 2023
Neymar injury comeback
Neymar’s immediate plans for a comeback were thwarted due to an injury incurred during a brief second appearance for his Saudi Pro League team.
He came on as a substitute in Al-Hilal’s 3-0 victory against Iranian side Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite last month but lasted under 30 minutes before feeling discomfort.
Although Neymar insisted that the injury was “hopefully nothing too severe,” he has yet to increase his tally of seven matches for the club, which secured his services for a reported fee exceeding £71 million from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023.
“Unfortunately, it is not a straightforward injury,” stated Al-Hilal’s coach Jorge Jesus at the time. “He seems to be experiencing muscle pain, and it is not related to his knee.”
🔹 Neymar undergoes scans pic.twitter.com/Gt7T4GxvKh
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) November 6, 2024
Neymar Al Hilal contract
Speculation has arisen in Saudi Arabia regarding whether Al-Hilal will re-register Neymar for the season’s latter half.
Due to his injury, he was not included in their squad for the first half of the campaign, though international competitions remain open for him to participate.
Brazil squad: Neymar to return?
Brazil boasts a wealth of attacking talent, including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Raphinha from Barcelona.
Neymar, who missed two games during the 2022 World Cup owing to an ankle injury, contributed two goals and one assist in the tournament but was part of a team eliminated by Croatia in the quarter-finals.
This outcome has left him without ever advancing beyond the last eight in the tournament, having already experienced a similar fate in 2018 against Belgium despite providing two goals and two assists.
During his debut World Cup in 2014, Neymar finished with four goals and one assist in five matches but was unable to play in Brazil’s 7-1 semi-final defeat versus Germany or their 3-0 loss to the Netherlands for third place, both due to injury.
Image Source: Neymar @ Instagram
