Ronaldo Calls for Neymar’s Return to Brazil Squad

Brazilian legend Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner, called on Wednesday for Neymar to return to the Seleção for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, insisting that Brazil “has no other player like him.”

Neymar has been featuring regularly for Santos since rejoining the club in January, but national team coach Carlo Ancelotti has not called him up for qualifiers.

Ronaldo stressed that despite injuries, the 33-year-old remains a decisive figure for Brazil.

Speaking at a promotional event in São Paulo alongside Neymar, Ronaldo said: “We don’t have another footballer like Neymar, and we hope he’ll be fully fit for the World Cup.”

Neymar has not worn the famous yellow-and-green shirt since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury against Uruguay in World Cup qualifying.

Ancelotti has previously stated that Neymar “must be in top physical condition to help the national team give its best at the World Cup,” after leaving him out of Brazil’s September qualifiers.

The five-time world champions secured their place at the tournament by finishing fifth in the South American qualifiers.