Brazilian star Neymar da Silva 🇧🇷, Santos forward ⚽ and Brazil’s all-time top scorer, has strongly rejected what he described as “silly criticism” 🔥 during his recovery from serious injuries that kept him sidelined for an extended period 💔.
Neymar insists he is in excellent physical condition 💪 and improving with every match, stating that he is fully ready to return and represent Brazil at the FIFA World Cup 2026 🏆⚽.
🏥 Long injury absence
Neymar has not played for Brazil since 2023 ⏳ after suffering a serious knee injury that required surgery and kept him out of action for nearly a year 🏥.
Despite returning to club football with Santos ⚽, questions about his fitness have continued ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
🧠 Ancelotti’s stance
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti 👔 has stated that Neymar must be fully fit 💪 and performing at a high level to earn a place in the World Cup squad 🏆.
He emphasized that selection will depend purely on fitness and performance rather than reputation ⚽.
🗣️ Neymar’s strong response
After Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba 💔, Neymar told reporters:
“I am in great physical condition 💪 and improving with every match. I have worked extremely hard, and it has not been easy at all” ⚽🔥.
He added:
“These have been years of hard work, but also a lot of silly talk about my condition, which has been very upsetting 😔” 🗣️.
He continued:
“I worked quietly at home, and I am happy with where I am now. Everything is going the way I wanted” 🏆⚽.
⚠️ Substitution controversy
During the match 😡, Neymar reacted angrily after being substituted, creating controversy in Brazilian media 📺.
The incident came at a crucial time, just before Brazil’s World Cup squad announcement ⏳.
🌍 Brazil and the World Cup
Brazil 🇧🇷 is aiming to win a record-extending sixth World Cup title 🏆, strengthening its position as the most successful national team in history ⚽🔥.
They have been drawn in Group C alongside Morocco 🇲🇦, Haiti 🇭🇹, and Scotland 🏴, forming a highly competitive group 🌍⚽.
