Soccer
Neymar remains the best match-winner in Brazil’s squad and can “shut the mouths” of his critics by carrying them through the knockout stages of the World Cup.
That is the belief of the Selecao’s former World Cup-winning striker Ronaldo Nazario, ahead of Carlo Ancelotti’s team facing Japan in the round of 32 on Monday.
Almost three years after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty, Neymar was somewhat surprisingly recalled to Brazil’s squad for this year’s tournament.
However, the 34-year-old – who is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals – was then troubled by a hamstring injury in the build-up to the competition and missed their first two matches.
He came off the bench for the final 14 minutes of their 3-0 win over Scotland last time out, becoming only the fourth player to represent Brazil at four different World Cups, after Djalma Santos, Cafu and Pele.
His cameo came 981 days after his last Brazil outing, and it was the first time he had come off the bench in his 14 World Cup matches to date.
Vinicius Junior has emerged as Brazil’s talisman at this tournament, scoring four times to propel himself into the Golden Boot race, but Ronaldo – who top-scored during their successful 2002 campaign – still expects Neymar to have his say.
“Neymar is decisive. I don’t see another player in the current squad with the same ability as him to win a match,” Ronaldo told L’Equipe.
“So, if we can count on him, we cannot let the opportunity slip away. He was cleared by doctors, is physically fit and now has the chance to shut the mouths of all those who did not believe in him.
“I also lived my own return to the pitch in 2002, so I fully support Neymar. I’m excited and rooting for him.
“He no longer needs to prove his talent at the age of 34, but I hope his performances will shut the mouths of all those who have written him off, because there’s nothing like seeing a great athlete make a triumphant comeback.”
E a história da maior Seleção do mundo na Copa do Mundo de 2026 continua. Rumo à fase final! pic.twitter.com/OdxUjyaOUi
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 25, 2026
The Opta supercomputer assigns Brazil a 6.7% chance of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup, making them fifth favourites behind France (17.9%), Argentina (17.1%), Spain (13.4%) and England (10%).
But Ronaldo overlooked Thomas Tuchel’s men when asked who he saw as Brazil’s main rivals, instead touting Germany (4.2% chance) to enjoy a deep run.
“France, Spain and Argentina play very good football; they are very competitive, and Germany are always dangerous,” he said. “They are Brazil’s biggest rivals for the trophy.”
Brazil have been eliminated in four of their last six World Cup knockout-stage matches, more than in their previous 17 combined (three).
They have not been knocked out in the first knockout stage at a World Cup since 1990, however, when they lost 1-0 to Argentina in the last 16.
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