Brazil needs Neymar fit to win the 2026 World Cup - Rodrygo

[{"selector":"#anim-77d95b09-3c90-4424-89fb-bb99f61ece0d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-08e31ddb-fd3f-4fa1-bb1a-c8ca73ee2f93","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Real Madrid player Rodrygo has stated that Brazil requires Neymar if they are to win a record sixth World Cup in 2026.

[{"selector":"#anim-2ccb7cef-fd9d-47eb-b195-de94502b48b8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(16.0993788178335%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-56defbc1-a75b-430d-b12b-cc64594b85a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The 23-year-old, who scored a first-half goal to help Brazil defeat Ecuador 1-0 on Friday and end their three-game losing streak in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup

[{"selector":"#anim-b9864570-2ff3-40ec-8975-1c59338b9cae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-7.378881958173693%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2ff90f7-edde-4e3e-a216-bc2ca5952e0f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "He's our star, our best player," Rodrygo remarked during an exclusive ESPN Brasil interview.

[{"selector":"#anim-655a02d2-33c8-4be4-8a98-7010c0e1c176 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d474a82-e145-4412-b4da-39e809315aba","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "It is clear that he is greatly missed. We all want Neymar to be healthy, and he is nearing the end of his recovery. "We want him back as soon as possible."

[{"selector":"#anim-7ff38c6e-5dd2-481f-b3d7-7585989643b4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(17.44099371931963%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07172598-c799-4774-8620-c1345d647689","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Five-time world champion Brazil lost consecutive matches to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina

[{"selector":"#anim-52641d8e-1ec3-4090-aec8-4dbed2dc5e56 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c60bd68a-2631-4fcb-b3b2-7b8516a9ae9e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] With Friday's win, Brazil now have 10 points and are in fourth place. The y face Paraguay in Asuncion on Tuesday.

[{"selector":"#anim-916796b6-2079-41b6-ab2e-1169d6d0fc30 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8039166e-0c20-4acb-ab58-5ba830ac761e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star was hurt in Brazil's World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay in October of 2023.

[{"selector":"#anim-9ae99eda-7575-4d2a-af11-235794eae30e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-5.543478238779482%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f288b7d-13b0-4cf6-a315-b7eb106d5094","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] He had previously faced lengthy spells out injured, including a number of right ankle and foot injuries in the past

[{"selector":"#anim-7556dc91-f1a5-42d4-872d-156ff4554410 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(15.51242229843332%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e23110aa-16d9-48cc-9bc8-eed8b4301a34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Rodrygo said that he keeps in touch with Neymar and that he considers him an idol.

[{"selector":"#anim-c52fadbe-52ab-486c-8566-a0e9355d6726 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-128481a3-e60e-482a-8218-6ff5e8d544f3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] "We always message each other. He is now returning to training with the group," Rodrygo said.

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Brazil needs Neymar fit to win the 2026 World Cup - Rodrygo

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