For me, Neymar going to the 2026 World Cup is a very difficult decision to defend in any serious analysis. I completely understand the emotional side of it: the fans want him there, there is a huge attachment to him, almost as if his presence is mandatory.
A real divide has formed around it: half desperately wanted him there, the other half did not want him anywhere near the squad. And when there is that level of outside pressure, it is impossible to ignore the impact it has on the final decision.
And that is where the problem begins. It clearly does not feel like a purely technical decision. It feels more influenced by context, by pressure, almost by sympathy. And for a national team trying to win a World Cup, that cannot be the standard.
Because someone missed out because of it. João Pedro.
And this is where, for me, the decision truly falls apart. João Pedro followed the cycle, worked within the manager’s system and, even if he is not a striker who scores huge numbers of goals, he offers things the others do not. He presses, links play, adapts to what the manager wants. He may not have the statistics, but he has a role. A very clear role inside the team.
Replacing that with Neymar, at this point, is replacing usefulness with reputation.
And this is not about liking or disliking Neymar. I like him. But analysis has to be cold. Today, he no longer has the physical consistency or the technical impact he once had. Does he still have quality? Of course. Can he still decide a moment? Yes. But the frequency of those moments is far lower now.
The problem is that many people analyse Neymar through clips. One pass here, one dribble there, ten seconds on social media. But international football, especially at a World Cup, is not built on that. It is built on consistency, intensity and the ability to repeat actions at the highest level. And that is where he no longer keeps up.
On top of that, his presence creates another issue: expectation. Neymar is not just any substitute sitting on the bench. His name alone creates pressure for him to play, and that can influence decisions during the tournament. Even if, in theory, it should be obvious that he is a backup option.
And realistically, that is exactly what he should be. A player to use in specific moments, maybe in games already under control or in calmer situations. Never as the central figure in the biggest matches. If that happens, it probably means something has already gone wrong.
Then there is the question of identity. This Brazil side should belong to players like Vini Jr and Raphinha. They are the ones at the top level, the ones making the difference for their clubs, the ones who should carry the responsibility. If the focus shifts back to Neymar, even if he is not a starter, it distracts from that leadership.
Could it reduce pressure on the others? Maybe. But it could also delay the natural process of the players who should genuinely lead this team.
And comparisons with cases like Messi or Cristiano simply do not work. Completely different contexts. Cristiano is still the best striker for his national team. Messi, even with less intensity, still produces moments of genius far more regularly. Neymar, right now, is below that level.
Conclusion
It may sound harsh, but it is not personal. It is analysis. Neymar is going to the World Cup more because of what he was than because of what he is now. And in a tournament at this level, that is always risky.
Still, he needs to understand his role: an important figure within the group, but not the centre of the team, because today that responsibility has to belong to the players who are actually delivering on the pitch: Vini Jr and Raphinha.