On a Brazilian TV show hosted by Luciano Huck, Raphinha gave an interview where he spoke about several topics, but it was when he mentioned Neymar that the controversy started, and it also exposed a clear issue within the Brazil national team.
Raphinha said that Neymar is the face of the “Hexa”, meaning Brazil’s potential sixth World Cup title. For context, Brazil are “Penta” (five-time champions), and the “Hexa” would be the sixth. And I’m not going to say he’s wrong to believe the team can win the World Cup, every team goes in with that aim. The problem is something else.
It’s the insistence on placing Neymar as the main reference, as if his current situation isn’t obvious. The team needs someone who can take responsibility, carry the ball and decide games, exactly what Neymar used to do at his peak. But since he stopped playing for the national team in 2023, no one has truly taken on that role. And honestly, even before that, when Neymar was already declining, this issue was starting to show.
You look at players like Vini Jr, who at club level is one of the best in the world, but for the national team he disappears, looks anxious, forces plays and nothing comes off. Raphinha himself hasn’t really delivered anything significant for the national team either, and that creates a strange contrast: for a more casual Brazilian fan, these names look like world-class stars, and they are, but then they play for Brazil and don’t perform anywhere near 50% of what they show at club level.
As for Neymar, the situation is clear. He doesn’t have the physical capacity to handle a World Cup, where every match demands maximum intensity. He can’t even maintain consistency at Santos to play twice a week. And beyond the physical side, there’s also the technical question of consistency. He still has moments, like many veterans do, but they are isolated moments. There’s no regularity, no sequence.
Honestly, it almost feels like Neymar needs Santos more than Santos need him, because looking at the market, who is going to pay the salary he wants with such limited availability? It’s early May and he’s played around a third of the matches. And even when he does play, he doesn’t deliver consistently. The question is, are people actually watching Santos games and analysing Neymar’s performances, or just seeing clips on social media?
Conclusion
Brazil are not heading into this World Cup as one of the strongest sides. Brazil are not heading into this World Cup as one of the strongest sides. There are clearly several teams ahead of them. There’s a lack of a true on pitch leader, because while there is quality and talent, there isn’t the level of output expected.
And as for Neymar, he simply isn’t in condition for a World Cup. Anyone who still believes he is either watching isolated highlights on social media or is stuck in the past.