Neymar was once again the center of attention following Santos’ visit to Coritiba for the Copa do Brasil, a match that ended in a 2-0 victory for Peixe.
However, what caught everyone’s attention was his amusing exchange with a fan following a provocative comment as he was substituted in the 84th minute of the match, amid anticipation for Brazil’s final roster for the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar’s viral response to a fan
It was recently revealed that the 34-year-old forward was included in the preliminary 55-man roster for the tournament, a move that raised hopes of seeing him compete in his fourth World Cup with the Canarinha.
However, his spot is not yet guaranteed, as Carlo Ancelotti must submit the final roster on May 18, with only 26 players set to travel to the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June. Meanwhile, Neymar continues to earn his place on the roster.
After his performance in the win against Coritiba, where he provided an assist, he was substituted with just a few minutes left in the match. As he was leaving the field, a fan of the opposing team shouted at him: “You’re not going to the World Cup!”
Far from getting angry, the former Barcelona and PSG player waved at him and replied with a laugh and a touch of irony: “And you’re going to stay home!”—a response that quickly went viral on social media.
Meanwhile, Neymar has already scored six goals and provided four assists in fourteen matches with Santos, but he has also been seeing more playing time on the field—something that hadn’t happened in a long time due to his various injuries and subsequent recoveries.
All of this has not gone unnoticed by Ancelotti, who has decided to include him on this list alongside 54 other teammates, and it could mark the return of the #10 to the Canarinha: he hasn’t played for the Verdeamarela since October 17, 2023, when he suffered a knee injury in a South American qualifier against Uruguay. Since then, and despite four different coaches coming and going, Neymar has not been called up again due to his physical condition and injuries.
Now, with his sights set on the final roster, Ney could help the team win another title—a feat that hasn’t happened since 2002, when the Canarinha earned its fifth star.
Brazil will be in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. They will make their debut against Morocco on Saturday, June 13, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. They will then face Haiti on Friday, June 19, at Soldier Field in Philadelphia, and on Wednesday, June 24, they will play against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Leave a Reply