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

[LUCKMCFLY]

I agree that scoring again after a difficult period gives any player a big confidence boost, and the “I’m back” celebration was probably his way of showing he’s feeling like himself again. It looked more like a personal statement than anything aimed at other players.
I don’t think it was about chasing Messi or Kane or trying to prove he’s better than them. Ronaldo has always said his biggest competition is with himself. The celebration was more about showing that he’s still capable of performing at a high level despite what people have been saying, not that he’s back to compete with specific players.

You know, sometimes there are renowned players, like Saltan, Rooney, Thierry Henry, and all they do is criticize CR7. How far can their envy and their own failure as players go? I think they should have more empathy. CR7, at 41 years old, is competing at the highest level. They didn't do that; they only got one step, and that's it. That's what personally makes me angry.

[Franctoshi]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Neymar was not even at the bench for the games was he? I mean in technically he wasn't, of course his body was there, but he was not a bench player so he couldn't even join the game.

Feels like there is a big possibility that he is not fit to play at all, and he was brought there for totally emotional reasons but it doesn't look like he could actually play anymore. Which is sad, I would say Pedro would have helped them a lot more, at least he would be ready to play.

He actually came on and played for about 15 minutes. You could tell he was struggling though, he's clearly not at his best anymore. Still, he showed he has that special something. He delivered a few really good corners, but nobody managed to finish them. Pedro is definitely faster and in much better shape, but you have to understand that Neymar is basically Brazil, if you know what i mean.

Maybe  who knows if he was brought by Anceloti to this world cup to act as a senior coaching player to encourage and guide the younger players this world cup tournament and in their training and not mainly to participate alone, but also to witness what maybe his last participation in the world cup competition till the end of his football career, after seeing that Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be present at the world cup.

[rdluffy]

Cristiano Ronaldo called up
Messi called up
Neymar called up

Cristiano Ronaldo played
Messi played
Neymar played

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal
Messi scored a goal
Neymar scored a goal: ...loading

Hehe, the only thing missing is for Neymar to score a goal to complete the list above
Do you think he might complete it against Japan?
Maybe he could play half time in the very next game

[yudi09]

Cristiano Ronaldo called up
Messi called up
Neymar called up

Cristiano Ronaldo played
Messi played
Neymar played

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal
Messi scored a goal
Neymar scored a goal: ...loading

Hehe, the only thing missing is for Neymar to score a goal to complete the list above
Do you think he might complete it against Japan?
Maybe he could play half time in the very next game

Will they play in the World Cup? The answer is that all three were called up and played, although one of them saw limited playing time. Interestingly, when it comes to scoring goals, only Messi and Ronaldo have managed to do so; Neymar hasn’t yet.

In the Round of 32 match, Neymar won’t play the full game; he’ll only be brought in (if Ancelotti decides) as a substitute in the second half with very little time remaining.
The match against Japan requires players with good physical conditioning—something Neymar lacks.

[Woodie]

Cristiano Ronaldo called up
Messi called up
Neymar called up

Cristiano Ronaldo played
Messi played
Neymar played

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal
Messi scored a goal
Neymar scored a goal: ...loading

Hehe, the only thing missing is for Neymar to score a goal to complete the list above
Do you think he might complete it against Japan?
Maybe he could play half time in the very next game

I have seen both Messi and Ronaldo in action, Messi looking sharp as always while Ronaldo still a little rusty when in front of goal but shows signs of being a striker.

As of Neymar, the last update I saw was that he picked up a knock in training but to see that the lad actually played is great news as I thought he developed cold 🥶 feet and was scared to play on the big stage.. let me watch some football highlights of the Brazilian games

[B-BossMan]

Cristiano Ronaldo called up
Messi called up
Neymar called up

Cristiano Ronaldo played
Messi played
Neymar played

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal
Messi scored a goal
Neymar scored a goal: ...loading

Hehe, the only thing missing is for Neymar to score a goal to complete the list above
Do you think he might complete it against Japan?
Maybe he could play half time in the very next game

Nermar will also score goals soon Dude, I think he just returned from Injury and many people were expected him to comes back with full force of consistency and more fresh talent. Although even the matches that was played on his absence was quite okay because even without him Brazil will still performance very accurately and with it will be more better again.

Nermar is also a player respected much on his performance his talent work. I trust and I believe that Neymar will perform as expected with time. Messi has done very well in this season FIFA world cup tournament and I must thump him up on his great performances, same goes to Cristiano Ronaldo foe his great work also this season.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

Nermar will also score goals soon Dude, I think he just returned from Injury and many people were expected him to comes back with full force of consistency and more fresh talent. Although even the matches that was played on his absence was quite okay because even without him Brazil will still performance very accurately and with it will be more better again.

Nermar is also a player respected much on his performance his talent work. I trust and I believe that Neymar will perform as expected with time. Messi has done very well in this season FIFA world cup tournament and I must thump him up on his great performances, same goes to Cristiano Ronaldo foe his great work also this season.

Not so sure about that. I mean this guy's time is simply over. He only plays for a weak team in Brazil now, coming off an injury and never seems to recover. If he actually made a goal this WC I would be very surprised to be honest. Of course anything can happen but I just don't see it.
I also believe he will retire from the national team after this world cup, he is 34 years old now so at the next cup he would be 38, what else is there to win for him anyway.

[letteredhub]

Snip

We all knew what it was from the beginning. Neymar hasn’t been 100% fit in over five years, despite that, many fans still wanted Neymar to be in the World Cup anyway. I don’t expect Ancelotti to start Neymar in any of the games but I would like to see him get some minutes as the tournament progresses.

No matter what their reasons for wanting Neymar to be in the Brazilian squad it's not lending a help to the team right now which should have being more preferable he wasn't added to the squad, because am not sure he might play a single game before Brazil probably get eliminated at some point. This, making his presence in the squad not felt boh on the pitch and outside, a spot that a young vibrant star should have rose on from.

[Youngrebel]

No matter what their reasons for wanting Neymar to be in the Brazilian squad it's not lending a help to the team right now which should have being more preferable he wasn't added to the squad, because am not sure he might play a single game before Brazil probably get eliminated at some point. This, making his presence in the squad not felt boh on the pitch and outside, a spot that a young vibrant star should have rose on from.

I don’t think Neymar presence is completely useles tho I understand what you are talking about but even if he is not fully fit to play most of the games his experience, and influence in the dressing room can still be of big benefit the upcoming young player and if he medically cleared and capable of contributing most of the times, then keeping him in the squad makes more sense.

[tiCeR]

Nermar will also score goals soon Dude, I think he just returned from Injury and many people were expected him to comes back with full force of consistency and more fresh talent. Although even the matches that was played on his absence was quite okay because even without him Brazil will still performance very accurately and with it will be more better again.

Nermar is also a player respected much on his performance his talent work. I trust and I believe that Neymar will perform as expected with time. Messi has done very well in this season FIFA world cup tournament and I must thump him up on his great performances, same goes to Cristiano Ronaldo foe his great work also this season.

Not so sure about that. I mean this guy's time is simply over. He only plays for a weak team in Brazil now, coming off an injury and never seems to recover. If he actually made a goal this WC I would be very surprised to be honest. Of course anything can happen but I just don't see it.
I also believe he will retire from the national team after this world cup, he is 34 years old now so at the next cup he would be 38, what else is there to win for him anyway.

Looking at it from a different perspective, I think mots of us would have agreed that the time of Messi is over too, but it isn't. Or at least at a World Cup he can still bring his game and score against other nations and I think he is not done yet if he stays healthy throughout the World Cup. I agree though that there was a major difference because Messi has played a good season whereas Neymar was injured most of the time. I don't know why Ancelotti decided to take him to the World Cup, maybe he wanted to avoid public pressure because Neymar is some sort of symbol for Brazil? I know he never really brought his best game at these tournaments and yet people wanted to see him being part of the team.

In my opinion his time is over for sure, he has had a different focus. Messi still plays because he wants to win, Neymar mostly played to show his brand new hairstyle and fancy new shoes.

[MorganaX]

No matter what their reasons for wanting Neymar to be in the Brazilian squad it's not lending a help to the team right now which should have being more preferable he wasn't added to the squad, because am not sure he might play a single game before Brazil probably get eliminated at some point. This, making his presence in the squad not felt boh on the pitch and outside, a spot that a young vibrant star should have rose on from.

I don’t think Neymar presence is completely useles tho I understand what you are talking about but even if he is not fully fit to play most of the games his experience, and influence in the dressing room can still be of big benefit the upcoming young player and if he medically cleared and capable of contributing most of the times, then keeping him in the squad makes more sense.

Before now I would argued that his called up was something meaningful and even till now am opened to change my mind but the performance I saw him put the last time ancelloti introduced him to the game showed that he is still suffering a little bit form  the after effects of injury because he was very slow on the ball and was trying to be very extra careful not to lose the ball which made him lose control alot so except he ups his game next match it will be looking as if he call up was actually a waste of time .

[letteredhub]

No matter what their reasons for wanting Neymar to be in the Brazilian squad it's not lending a help to the team right now which should have being more preferable he wasn't added to the squad, because am not sure he might play a single game before Brazil probably get eliminated at some point. This, making his presence in the squad not felt boh on the pitch and outside, a spot that a young vibrant star should have rose on from.

I don’t think Neymar presence is completely useles tho I understand what you are talking about but even if he is not fully fit to play most of the games his experience, and influence in the dressing room can still be of big benefit the upcoming young player and if he medically cleared and capable of contributing most of the times, then keeping him in the squad makes more sense.

In such a big tournament as the World Cup which is greeted as the no.1 football tournament in the world i do believe that whatever influence any player presence may have in the team is to be mostly felt useful on the field, the motivation would seem natural if he was playing alongside other team mates. On seeing Neymar's name making the list for Brazil, I was one of those that believed before the tournament started that his presence in the team was going to motivating with his experience as well, but right now, all that appears to be no more after knowing he may not even play a single game for his country due to persistent injuries.