Doubts about Neymar‘s inclusion in the upcoming World Cup have sparked a debate that continues to grow, and now another voice has joined in his defense.
After Brazil’s national team coach, Carlos Ancelotti, left him out of the friendlies against Croatia and France on March 26 and 31, his compatriot Juninho Vieira insisted that he must be part of soccer’s biggest event.
Vieira Defends Neymar
Juninho joined Pumas UNAM in January 2026 from Brazil’s Flamengo and has already scored 4 goals in his first 8 league matches. However, even though he himself isn’t among Carletto’s selections, he is certain that the #10 must play for the Canarinha at the World Cup.
“For me, there’s no debate. Neymar has to go to the World Cup,” he stated in his latest interview with ‘TV Azteca Deportes‘.
He also highlighted Neymar’s importance to the team, comparing him to two other soccer legends: “It’s like Portugal leaving out Cristiano Ronaldo, or Argentina leaving out Messi. In the same way, there’s no way to leave Neymar out of our national team. He always has to be there,” he explained.
Despite Juninho’s words, Neymar hasn’t played for the Canarinha since October 17, 2023, and last Monday, the 16th, Ancelotti announced that he won’t be among the players traveling to the U.S. for the two World Cup warm-up friendlies because he isn’t in peak physical condition, though he didn’t rule out taking him to the World Cup if he recovers 100%.
With Santos FC, Ney has made only five appearances since his return, with three goals and two assists after recovering from another surgery on his left knee. Additionally, he recently missed a match against Mirassol due to a muscle strain caused by excessive fatigue in training, and although he played in two matches afterward (against Corinthians and Internacional), he was ruled out of the game against Cruzeiro to avoid risking an even more serious injury.
With only 16 matches remaining before the World Cup, Neymar must not only log minutes on the field but also recover and get into better physical shape if he wants to impress Ancelotti and travel to the United States, Mexico, and Canada for what could be his final World Cup.
