Buenos Aires, May 9: Legendary footballer Lionel Messi believes that Brazil’s star player Neymar remains one of the best in the sport. Messi expressed hope that Neymar will participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup next month.
According to a report by Xinhua, Messi stated on the Lo Del Polo show, “We want the best players at the World Cup, and Neymar, regardless of his form, will always be one of them.”
He added, “He means a lot to Brazil and football, so it would be great to see him at the World Cup. I hope he will be there, but I can’t be impartial because he always needs to be there.”
Messi acknowledged that his friendship with Neymar makes it challenging for him to remain neutral.
“I can’t be impartial about this. Neymar is a friend. Obviously, I want him to be at the World Cup and have good things happen for him because he deserves it as a person. I hope he can be there,” Messi said.
He further remarked, “He has a very special charisma. He doesn’t put on a show. He lives his life as he feels, without worrying about the outcomes. He is happy and very natural.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner noted that defending Argentina’s 2022 World Cup title will be a difficult task. He identified Spain, France, and Brazil as leading contenders.
“We know that the World Cup is always a tough affair because the teams involved are strong. We must keep our hopes up, as every Argentine does whenever there is an official competition, whether it’s the Copa America or the World Cup—but we must also acknowledge that there are other favorite teams that are better than us,” Messi stated.
Neymar and Messi played together at Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.
Since returning to his childhood club Santos, Neymar has struggled with injury issues. He has only played 12 matches this year, having played 28 matches in 2025.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, Neymar, has not played for his country since October 2023. He has been sidelined since injuring his anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
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