Madrid, Spain – Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina and star of Inter Miami, expressed his hope that his friend Neymar would participate with the Brazilian national team in the 2026 World Cup, despite the doubts surrounding his chances of appearing in the tournament.
There is much speculation about Neymar’s international future, as his participation is linked to the decision of the new coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti.
Messi said, in statements reported by the Spanish network “Infobae”: “I cannot be neutral when it comes to Neymar, he is a dear friend and I always wish him all the best, because he is someone who truly deserves it”.
He added: “I hope to see him in the World Cup. Everyone wants to see the best players, and Neymar will always be one of the most prominent, for what he offers to football and to the Brazilian national team”.
The Argentine star spoke about Neymar’s personality, stressing that he has a special charisma and acts with great spontaneity in his life, noting the continuation of the strong relationship between them despite the passing years.
Messi also touched on the historic rivalry that brought him together with Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, stressing that it was an exceptional part of the world of football during his time at Barcelona versus Ronaldo playing for Real Madrid.
He explained: “We competed for everything, whether it was team titles or individual awards, and people were always comparing us and choosing who they preferred, and that’s normal in football”.
Messi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that this competition will remain one of the most prominent periods in the history of the game, due to the excitement, great achievements, and widespread public enjoyment it brought around the world.
