São Paulo – Brazilian star midfielder Rodrygo has emphasized the indispensable role of Neymar in Brazil’s pursuit of their sixth FIFA World Cup championship. Speaking in an exclusive interview with ESPN, the young talent expressed the team’s yearning for the return of their iconic forward.
“He’s our star, our best player,” Rodrygo said. “Anyone can see it, how much he is missed. Having Neymar healthy, which is what we all want, and he is in the final stages of his recovery. We want him back as soon as possible.”
Neymar, 32, has been absent from the national squad since undergoing surgery in November 2023 to repair anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries in his left knee. The devastating injury occurred during Brazil’s CONMEBOL qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
Without Neymar, Brazil faced a challenging period, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, followed by consecutive losses to Colombia (2-1) and Argentina (1-0) in the World Cup qualifying tournament. The team’s losing streak finally ended with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ecuador on September 6, where Rodrygo scored the decisive goal in the 30th minute.
The recent struggles have underscored Neymar’s influence on the team’s performance. His impending return is highly anticipated by teammates and fans alike. “Having Neymar back will boost our confidence,” Rodrygo added. “He’s not just a great player but also a leader who inspires us on and off the pitch.”
As Neymar enters the final stages of his recovery, the Brazilian squad remains hopeful for his timely return to guide them through the remaining qualifiers and into the World Cup. The team’s unity and determination, bolstered by Neymar’s comeback, aim to reclaim Brazil’s dominance on the global stage.
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Rodrygo stresses Neymar's importance to Brazil in winning World Cup
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