Neymar insisted he feels fully fit for the World Cup after rejecting criticism over his fitness and injury record following Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on Sunday. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti will announce his squad on Monday.
The 34-year-old forward has not played for Brazil since 2023 after a serious knee injury and surgery kept him out for a year. Ancelotti has repeatedly stated that Neymar must prove both his fitness and form before returning to the national side.
“Physically, I feel great. I’ve been improving with every game,” Neymar told reporters after the match.
“I’ve done my absolute best, it wasn’t easy. I’ll admit it wasn’t easy.”
Neymar said he dealt with criticism throughout his recovery period and claimed people questioned both his condition and professionalism during his absence from international football.
“It’s been years of hard work, and also of a lot of nonsense being said about my condition and what I was doing. It’s really sad the way people talk about it,” he said.
“I worked hard, quietly, at home, suffering because of what people were saying, and it all worked out.”
Neymar also found himself at the centre of confusion during the match after Santos mistakenly substituted him instead of Gonzalo Escobar. Neymar had received treatment near the touchline and failed to notice the substitution board. By the time he returned, play had already restarted with Robinho Jr on the pitch.
The Brazilian argued angrily with officials and demanded to see the written substitution note, which reportedly showed that Santos coach Cuca had intended to withdraw Escobar, not Neymar.
Santos already trailed 3-0 at that stage and the defeat left the club inside the Serie A relegation zone.
Despite another disrupted season, Neymar believes he has done enough to earn consideration for Brazil’s World Cup squad.
“I’ve made it to where I wanted to be in one piece. I’m happy with my performance, with everything I’ve done so far,” he said.
“Whatever happens, Ancelotti will certainly call up the 26 best players for this battle.”
Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C of the World Cup, which starts on 11 June in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
