Neymar’s comeback to the Brazilian national football team was more than just a sporting achievement—it was a deeply emotional moment for the number 10. The Santos icon shared how profoundly moved he was after learning about his inclusion in the squad that will represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti.

A night filled with emotions

During a promotional event in São Paulo, Neymar opened up about his emotional response upon seeing the final list of selected players. The forward admitted that it took some time for the reality to sink in and that the wave of emotions kept him awake for hours, reflecting on the long and difficult journey that led him back into the Selecao lineup.

“I went to bed around 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning, watching all the videos. I couldn’t stop crying the entire night. My wife and daughters were sleeping beside me, and I just kept crying as I watched each video, because it wasn’t easy,” Neymar revealed, describing the emotional and sleepless night he spent alongside Bruna Biancardi and their children.

Fighting through adversity and carrying the weight of the jersey

Representing Brazil once again in a World Cup holds immense emotional significance for Neymar, especially after the injuries and doubts that have clouded his career in recent years. The forward admitted that the road to recovery was long and arduous, but the reward of returning to the national team made it all worthwhile.

“It was difficult, it was hard, but in the end, it was worth it. It was worth it to feel this love, this emotion, this pride of being Brazilian and representing every one of you in a World Cup,” said the striker, acknowledging the emotional and patriotic weight of his return.

Commitment and gratitude ahead of the World Cup

Now fully focused on his physical conditioning and technical readiness, Neymar expressed heartfelt gratitude to his millions of fans who have continued to stand by him. He described this call-up as one of the most memorable moments of his life and vowed to make the most of the opportunity given to him by the Italian coach leading the Selecao.

“I thank all of Brazil for the support, the encouragement, and all the amazing reactions. It will be a very special day, one that I will remember for the rest of my life,” concluded the star forward.

Fitness concerns for Brazil’s key man

However, Brazil may need to wait to see if Neymar will be fully fit for their final warm-up matches before the World Cup. The experienced forward remains a pivotal figure for the national team, but his latest physical setback has raised concerns ahead of the tournament. Neymar sustained an edema that caused swelling in his right calf during Sunday’s 3-0 loss to Coritiba. Despite his efforts to stay in top form since returning to domestic football with Santos, the timing of this muscular problem is far from ideal as the World Cup draws closer.