Brazilian football icon Neymar has declared that the FIFA 2026 World Cup will mark his final appearance on football’s grandest stage. Despite battling injuries at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar remains committed to representing Brazil and is optimistic about earning a spot in the squad for the tournament, co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Final World Cup for Neymar
Neymar, who recently became Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, expressed his determination to make the most of his “last shot” at World Cup glory. Speaking to CNN, the 32-year-old forward said:
“I will try, I want to be there. I will do everything I can to be part of the national team. This will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance, and I will do everything I can to play in it.”
Currently sidelined with a ruptured ACL and meniscus sustained in October 2023, Neymar is working towards a return to action. Brazil sits fifth in the South American World Cup qualifiers with six matches remaining to secure an automatic qualification spot.
Future Plans and Reunion Speculation
While injuries have limited Neymar to just seven appearances since joining Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for €90 million in 2023, speculation about his next move has grown. His contract with the Saudi Pro League club expires in June 2024, and Neymar has hinted at a possible reunion with former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Reflecting on the potential reunion, Neymar said:
“Playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, and we still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy at Al-Hilal and in Saudi Arabia, but who knows? Football is full of surprises.”
The trio famously led Barcelona to a historic treble in 2015, cementing their place as one of the greatest attacking partnerships in football history. Neymar’s record-breaking transfer to PSG in 2017 for €222 million marked the end of their Barcelona chapter, but he remains open to rekindling the partnership.
Missed Move to MLS
Neymar revealed that a move to Inter Miami in 2023 was not feasible due to the MLS transfer window being closed at the time. Instead, he chose to join Al-Hilal, highlighting the appeal of their project for him and his family.
“When the news came out that I was leaving PSG, the transfer window was closed in the United States, so I didn’t have this option. The project in Saudi Arabia was very good, not just for me but also for my family, so going there was the best option.”
A Legacy in Focus
As Neymar eyes the 2026 World Cup, his legacy in football continues to grow. With a career filled with iconic moments, individual accolades, and team triumphs, the Brazilian star’s journey is far from over, and fans worldwide eagerly await his next chapter, whether it’s with Al-Hilal, in MLS, or on the global stage one final time.
