Lionel Messi has made headlines across the footballing world by finally speaking out about Neymar's uncertain international career. During an appearance on Lo del Pollo, one of Latin America's most popular shows, Messi strongly backed his former teammates at Barcelona and PSG by stating a World Cup without Neymar would be impossible.
He also emphasised while Neymar has endured a long and difficult athletic journey in recovering from two years of injuries, "he doesn't just lose his talent" and Brazil needs him now more than ever.
The Messi Endorsement: "He Always Has to Be There"
Messi, who is 38 years old, as he faces the prospect of perhaps a final jig in the global showpiece, shared this sentiment on his closest friend quite unusually emotionally. Amidst world football speculation on whether Neymar, 34, can meet the demands of a present-day World Cup, where he has been reinventing himself at Santos FC, Messi was quick to reject critics.
Neymar has experienced a rollercoaster ride of a day since the devastating ACL injury sustained in late 2023. Following a low-profile farewell from the Middle East and a heartwarming return to his childhood club Santes, the Brazilian No. 10 has endeavored to show he is not a legacy name.
Speaking on the Lo del Pollo show, Lionel Messi said: “We want the best players to be there [at the World Cup] and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them. It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football.
“I hope he can be there, but I can’t be objective, because he always has to be there. I can’t be objective. Neymar is a friend.
“Obviously, I’d love for him to be at the World Cup, for good things to happen to him because he deserves it for the kind of person he is. And I hope he can be there.”
Can the Santos Star Defy the Odds?
Recently, Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has taken an exceptionally close interest in the "magic" shown by Neymar during his recent comeback from injury for Santos FC, which has been limited to 13 games played thus far in 2026 with nine assists/goals made throughout these games, diminishing what appeared to be primarily explosive wing play when first in action nearly 10 years ago.
Neymar may now assume a role similar to that of an experienced center forward, which could help Ancelotti develop younger players within Brazil, such as Vinicius Jr. or Endrick.
Messi's support comes at the same time that an announcement has come out from the Brazilian team. Carlo Ancelotti has submitted Neymar to be a part of the preliminary Brazilian 55 man roster for the 2026 tournament. Although that's a big step to take it's a very high mountain to climb. Ancelotti previously stated that he will only bring players if they are in physical condition 100 percent.
As the 26-man final squad list draws ever closer, the controversy is no longer about Neymar's talent, but rather his fitness. But with the world's best man vouching for him and a nation clamoring to claim a sixth star, the heat on Ancelotti to include the aging maestro is intensifying greatly.
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