Will Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo play in the 2026 World Cup?

[RockBell]

Don't even joke about it, hahaha, those legends deserve to play and go as far as they can. Now, if I were Neymar, I wouldn't play the rest of the matches, or just the last one so Ancelotti can see I'm 100%. The joy they've brought to Brazilians and non-Brazilians alike is something that should be maintained. Ancelotti already told him he couldn't be captain or a starter, but I hope that just a few minutes in the World Cup will change all that by scoring goals and showing his level.

And by now they should allow the younger once do the participation, but I'm very sure they will also want to compete because that is what they know how to do, which is to compete and raise arguments. And the question now is, what if the three of them participate and they still do not win the World Cup, because that is a big question. After all, they have younger players that are doing big things, and left to me, I think they have done their part already, they don't expect them to continue being the best.

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

[SatoPrincess]

It is possible because I get the feeling that Carlo Ancelotti has something against Neymar. I don’t think he wants Neymar in the squad but eventually had to cave in to the pressure from the higher ups. I’m just happy to see that Neymar is going to be in the World Cup, realistically he’s not 100% fit and cannot play full-time without struggling but I expect him to get decent minutes in the World Cup.

If I am not mistaken, Neymar is just 34 years old and I consider him still young  compared to Ronaldo who is 41 years old and Messi who is 38 years old currently. The only thing I think would possible make Neymar unfit to play in the coming world Cup full in all the matches Brazil will play is if there are any form of complications from previous or maybe recent injuries, which if this be the case, I would say why don't they just allow the dude to rest so he could get healed properly?

Even though he is the youngest of the trio, unfortunately unlike Christiano Ronaldo and Messi, Neymar is injury prone and his career has suffered greatly from injuries. To be honest, I’m not so sure that Neymar even passed the fitness test, it could just be for show. Neymar wanted one last World Cup, and the fans & FA just couldn’t deny him that request.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

It is possible because I get the feeling that Carlo Ancelotti has something against Neymar. I don’t think he wants Neymar in the squad but eventually had to cave in to the pressure from the higher ups. I’m just happy to see that Neymar is going to be in the World Cup, realistically he’s not 100% fit and cannot play full-time without struggling but I expect him to get decent minutes in the World Cup.

If I am not mistaken, Neymar is just 34 years old and I consider him still young  compared to Ronaldo who is 41 years old and Messi who is 38 years old currently. The only thing I think would possible make Neymar unfit to play in the coming world Cup full in all the matches Brazil will play is if there are any form of complications from previous or maybe recent injuries, which if this be the case, I would say why don't they just allow the dude to rest so he could get healed properly?

Even though he is the youngest of the trio, unfortunately unlike Christiano Ronaldo and Messi, Neymar is injury prone and his career has suffered greatly from injuries. To be honest, I’m not so sure that Neymar even passed the fitness test, it could just be for show. Neymar wanted one last World Cup, and the fans & FA just couldn’t deny him that request.

I always reiterate that Neymar inclusion is just for a positive marketing PR for the Brazilians, Neymar hay days are almost over, if not over. He's not fit, I watched couple of his recent games and was never convinced he should make time to the squad. Ancellotti better has good backups for him because it is possible he picks up an injury even in his first match. Neymar's inclusion is not fitness-based, but that raises an important question about the way players are selected for important competitions like the world cup, is it now favoritism over actual merit?

[Accardo]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

He was skeptical about placing Neymar back in the team, but had to for the sponsors behind him like PUMA, making him the captain would be an overkill, he shouldn't be in that position, his only job in the field is to get his sponsors seen. However, the three superstars would be in the world cup, which is likely the last for Messi and Ronaldo, not sure about Neymar, if he'd be fit to compete in the next world cup after this year's event.

[SatoPrincess]

I always reiterate that Neymar inclusion is just for a positive marketing PR for the Brazilians, Neymar hay days are almost over, if not over. He's not fit, I watched couple of his recent games and was never convinced he should make time to the squad. Ancellotti better has good backups for him because it is possible he picks up an injury even in his first match. Neymar's inclusion is not fitness-based, but that raises an important question about the way players are selected for important competitions like the world cup, is it now favoritism over actual merit?

That may be true as well, Neymar is obviously going to sell a lot of jerseys so business wise it’s a smart move. As a fan, I’m happy that Neymar will be playing in the World Cup but I don’t expect him to be like he was in his prime. However I want to give him the respect he deserves, I believe Neymar will be able to put up a competitive for good minutes, according to reports he is not going to playing any more games for Santos ahead of the World Cup.

[Iamgoat]

Even though he is the youngest of the trio, unfortunately unlike Christiano Ronaldo and Messi, Neymar is injury prone and his career has suffered greatly from injuries. To be honest, I’m not so sure that Neymar even passed the fitness test, it could just be for show. Neymar wanted one last World Cup, and the fans & FA just couldn’t deny him that request.

I wish Neymar could seriously work on his injury status and how easy and prone it is for him to get injured he would have made a superstar after the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi due to how good he is in his delivery and how he has also shown his capacity in the field. Football is not even about skills or ability to score goal alone. To achieve a big height like we have seen among players such as Ronaldo and Messi, you need to protect your stamina and fitness and also work hard to avoid injuries as we have see with Neymar. Despite how good and talented Neymar is, including how clubs have cherished to see him play with them, injuries have stifle such opportunities as a club could purchase him today and won't have his use for the rest of the season due to an injury.

[SatoPrincess]

Some people are questioning why Neymar was called and Joao Pedro wasn’t. Whether people admit it or not, Neymar is a legend in his generation. In his peak, he could dance circles around his opponents, the fans miss that flair and that’s why we are eager to see him play for Brazil one last time. But  the truth is that his current fitness is not “World Cup level”.

[Localhostspeed]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

He was skeptical about placing Neymar back in the team, but had to for the sponsors behind him like PUMA, making him the captain would be an overkill, he shouldn't be in that position, his only job in the field is to get his sponsors seen. However, the three superstars would be in the world cup, which is likely the last for Messi and Ronaldo, not sure about Neymar, if he'd be fit to compete in the next world cup after this year's event.

But if not that sponsors or anyone that makes Neymar to return to the squad doesn't mean well for Brazil. Anceloti isn't foolish to leave world class like Neymar without gong for the world cup but people think Neymar will cast a spell on the pitch and tells everyone to give the trophy and then they will hand over the trophy to with but I don't even know how he is going to to present that when he is not fit to stand, we are just glorifying what's not good for the team.

I saw some posts yesterday circulating the internet, I'm not sure how reliable was the news but Neymar is back with another leg injury but like I say mainstream media didn't take this and spread it. If indeed true that he has secured another injury, then anyone that pressurized him for taking Neymar along don't have anything for the Brazil to win the World cup except loss and loss. To say we have many players that can do more better than Neymar and they don't have the chance.

[Dunamisx]

These three key players may not be tired of playing, but we should also consider their age Factor because they are getting older everyday, I'm not saying that you're strength or capability diminishes, but nature will always prevail over some way we perform or do things before when we are still much more younger, if they find it interesting and feet to play, why not because all their fans are going to support them cheerfully.

[SatoPrincess]

These three key players may not be tired of playing, but we should also consider their age Factor because they are getting older everyday, I'm not saying that you're strength or capability diminishes, but nature will always prevail over some way we perform or do things before when we are still much more younger, if they find it interesting and feet to play, why not because all their fans are going to support them cheerfully.

This is going to be their last World Cup. Messi has already won one World Cup, while Ronaldo won nations league for Portugal and recently won the Saudi League a couple of days back with Al Nassr. At this point, they should be able to take a bow knowing they didn’t leave anything on the table. As a fan, I’m going to enjoy this World Cup knowing that it’s the last time that we will see these guys playing national football.

[nelson4lov]

These three key players may not be tired of playing, but we should also consider their age Factor because they are getting older everyday, I'm not saying that you're strength or capability diminishes, but nature will always prevail over some way we perform or do things before when we are still much more younger, if they find it interesting and feet to play, why not because all their fans are going to support them cheerfully.

Yes. I think everyone knows it within themselves deep down that this is the last dance for most of the older players we currently have right now. Imo, this could be the last world we would see for any senior player around 30 and above or 35 at least but the thing is most od them won't be able to make it to the next 4 years again to participate in another tournament. Neymar knows it abd that's why he was crying a lot to be chosen to play because I think he knows it would be his last time to be in the global stage.

[Accardo]

I saw some posts yesterday circulating the internet, I'm not sure how reliable was the news but Neymar is back with another leg injury but like I say mainstream media didn't take this and spread it. If indeed true that he has secured another injury, then anyone that pressurized him for taking Neymar along don't have anything for the Brazil to win the World cup except loss and loss. To say we have many players that can do more better than Neymar and they don't have the chance.

If he is not sound  physically, then he wouldn't get featured on any match despite having been made a part of the team that'll represent Brazil at the world cup level. Unfortunately, football for players like Neymar or Messi and Ronaldo has so much to do with deals than performance.

[LUCKMCFLY]

I don't think Naymer will have too much issues, maybe he isn't 100% now, but d world cup is super close, but I believe he'll be fit before then

At this moment, Neymar isn't going to be the captain, he won't be a starter. I think Ancelotti should give him his place. In these cases, all the players in Brazil should decide that Neymar is the captain and should be the captain. Besides, it's fine that he's not a starter, but he should at least play a full half. If Brazil does badly and they only bring Neymar on for a few minutes, all of Brazil will criticize Ancelotti because they'll blame him for not bringing Neymar on.

[Taricoins]

Some people are questioning why Neymar was called and Joao Pedro wasn’t. Whether people admit it or not, Neymar is a legend in his generation. In his peak, he could dance circles around his opponents, the fans miss that flair and that’s why we are eager to see him play for Brazil one last time. But  the truth is that his current fitness is not “World Cup level”.

Looking at it, keeping Neymar Jr. Out is borderline insanity, players like Neymar, Ronaldo and Messi are not selected because of there fitness or level of competitiveness but because of the value they add in the team by increasing the overall moral of the team and the bulk of experience they have cultivated throughout the years.

But looking at it, why are they singling Neymar out for the Joao Pedro's absence when about 6 attackers where picked ahead of him

[programmer3666]

Messi and Ronaldo may be sure to play in the World Cup as long as he is not seriously injured, the coach will include him in the squad.

While Neymar was reportedly dropped by Anceloti due to unstable fitness problems ... maybe that's the reason why Anceloti dropped him... we know how Neymar often has problems with injuries to his muscles this is not just a short time but a long time and reduces his performance, even though I know these three players are old and not agile anymore.

Sadly, this 2026 World Cup will most likely be the last World Cup for players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and probably Neymar too. Age and injuries are already affecting them, especially Neymar with his fitness problems in recent years. No matter what happens, football fans will still appreciate everything these players have done for the game because they gave us many unforgettable moments across different World Cups and competitions.

[Akbarkoe]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

He was skeptical about placing Neymar back in the team, but had to for the sponsors behind him like PUMA, making him the captain would be an overkill, he shouldn't be in that position, his only job in the field is to get his sponsors seen. However, the three superstars would be in the world cup, which is likely the last for Messi and Ronaldo, not sure about Neymar, if he'd be fit to compete in the next world cup after this year's event.

This is quite reasonable, indirectly also they must need Sponsors for their team in the world cup to support the needs that must be purchased by the team, because this is a world event so it is impossible to use private or government money completely, and they need big names to attract those sponsors, and Neymar is the key in the current period to get the appeal of the fans and the media because it is clear that Neymar is a big name in the world of soccer, Ancelotti does not need to be selfish and I think for the benefit of the team Neymar must be included even though when he plays there is no need to rush, making him captain of the team I think it doesn't matter, but it seems Ancelotti has his own views.

[LUCKMCFLY]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

Well, I don't know if it's the players themselves, but I see that everyone in Brazil wants Neymar, but in the locker room, they're very corrupt. They don't give importance to a legend like him; they're only interested in their own interests. In football, these things happen, and it's something we don't see, but I'm sure that's how it is. Ancelotti doesn't like Neymar; we all know that. He accepted Neymar because he couldn't handle the pressure from all of Brazil.

[Taricoins]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

Well, I don't know if it's the players themselves, but I see that everyone in Brazil wants Neymar, but in the locker room, they're very corrupt. They don't give importance to a legend like him; they're only interested in their own interests. In football, these things happen, and it's something we don't see, but I'm sure that's how it is. Ancelotti doesn't like Neymar; we all know that. He accepted Neymar because he couldn't handle the pressure from all of Brazil.

I agree with you, you can clearly see it in Ancelotti's actions that given the choice, Neymar wouldn't be fielded in the World Cup and that's something that wouldn't just go away after this call up. That idea will be planted in his planning and even the locker room. Too sad for Neymar to see all his dedication for the National Team nor being rewarded as grand as it should be

[Daniel91]

We don't know what Ancelotti's reason might be for trying to make such a decision for Neymar, but as you said, anything can change, and I don't know why he does not want Neymar to captain the team, but it might just be for a good reason.

Well, I don't know if it's the players themselves, but I see that everyone in Brazil wants Neymar, but in the locker room, they're very corrupt. They don't give importance to a legend like him; they're only interested in their own interests. In football, these things happen, and it's something we don't see, but I'm sure that's how it is. Ancelotti doesn't like Neymar; we all know that. He accepted Neymar because he couldn't handle the pressure from all of Brazil.

I agree with you, you can clearly see it in Ancelotti's actions that given the choice, Neymar wouldn't be fielded in the World Cup and that's something that wouldn't just go away after this call up. That idea will be planted in his planning and even the locker room. Too sad for Neymar to see all his dedication for the National Team nor being rewarded as grand as it should be

Honestly, I have been following Ancelotti as a coach for many years and he is really good at his job, he has always had great relationships with his players and has always managed to achieve harmony in the team between all the super stars in the team.
I am sure that he will find the best role for Neymar in the team and that he did not call him to the national team just because of great pressure or public expectations.
Neymar, when he is fully ready, can play and help any team in the world and Ancelotti knows that.
I believe that the two of them have already spoken and that Neymar knows what is expected of him and that he will give his best, even if he will not be part of the first team.

[lombok]

Honestly, I have been following Ancelotti as a coach for many years and he is really good at his job, he has always had great relationships with his players and has always managed to achieve harmony in the team between all the super stars in the team.
I am sure that he will find the best role for Neymar in the team and that he did not call him to the national team just because of great pressure or public expectations.
Neymar, when he is fully ready, can play and help any team in the world and Ancelotti knows that.
I believe that the two of them have already spoken and that Neymar knows what is expected of him and that he will give his best, even if he will not be part of the first team.

Personal style of management has worked, now, in lessening the chances of a possible internal struggle and in giving every talent in the field, the most individual development. It will be done objectively by keeping the winger at the right position to help the national team come up with a strategy. Clear two way communication enables a firm dedication of the player towards considering the collective achievement over selfish motivations.