Lionel Messi backs Neymar to be included in Brazil's World Cup squad

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/neymar/jNOPwl3h/"]Neymar[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brazil/I9l9aqLq/"]Brazil[/a]’s all‑time leading ‌scorer with 79 goals, has not played ‌for the national team since suffering a ‌serious knee injury in October 2023 and has struggled with consistency since returning to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/santos/n3QdnjFB/"]Santos[/a] ‌last year.[/p][p]Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti ⁠has repeatedly said ‌Neymar will be considered if he is fully ​fit, adding in April that the striker has two months to show ​he is ready.[/p][p][b]"We want the best players to be there (at the World Cup) ⁠and Neymar, no ​matter his form, will always be one of them," [/b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Messi[/a] said on Lo del Pollo show.[/p][p][b]"It would be wonderful to see ‌him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football."[/b][/p][embed guid="ac00b5d0-acd9-4508-95eb-946197f38370" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2052837002190447094" social-type="twitter" /][p]Messi, who captained [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 and is expected to make his final appearance at the tournament, also listed Brazil among the contenders for the 2026 ‌edition, alongside [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a].[/p][p][b]"I still believe ​Brazil is always a contender and ‌has the players necessary to compete for the title in any major tournament,"[/b] he said.[/p][p]The 2026 World Cup, co‑hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, ⁠will begin on ⁠June 11.[/p]