By R. Alexander Núñez
The figure of Neymar re-established itself at the center of the Brazilian football debate just over a year after 2026 World Cup. This time it was Romarioworld champion with Brazil in 1994, who publicly defended the presence of the Santos striker in the next World Cup and asked that Carlo Ancelotti include it in the final call.
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The historic former forward considers that the attacker still has the conditions to contribute to the national team, despite the fact that he is not going through his best physical or football moment since his return to Brazilian football. In statements given to the chain sageRomario assured that Neymar continues to be a player capable of making a difference on important stages.
“Neymar has to go to the World Cup. He can make a difference, he is respected and he is going to help Brazil”said the former Barcelona player, whose full interview will be broadcast on Sunday.
Romario’s words join other voices in Brazilian football that support Neymar’s continuity in the World Cup project, even though Carlo Ancelotti has maintained a more cautious stance since taking command of the national team a year ago.
The Italian coach has reiterated on different occasions that he will only take into account players who are physically fit to compete in the tournament.
Romario questions Ancelotti’s continuity
Beyond the Neymar case, the former goalscorer also gave his opinion on the future of the current Brazilian coach. Romario He considered it premature for the Brazilian Football Confederation to plan to extend Ancelotti’s contract before the 2026 World Cup.
“I would not renew with Ancelotti before the World Cup. I would only renew him if he were champion“said the former soccer player and current Brazilian senator.
The statements appear in a context of doubts about Brazil’s competitive level compared to other teams that are candidates for the title. Romario even placed Canarinha behind several European teams and Argentina in the fight for the next World Cup.
“The Brazilian team is more or less. It is behind Argentina, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany”, he noted.
The 1994 United States world champion also expressed reservations about the impact that Neymar could generate within the group, especially among younger footballers seeking prominence in the national team.
Romario regretted that the presence of the attacker could affect certain internal dynamics related to ego and coexistence within the locker room. “Such silly vanities exist in football,” he commented.
Despite supporting the Santos forward’s call-up, the former player was less optimistic when analyzing the individual chances of Brazilian footballers in the World Cup. Romario assured that currently No member of the team is in a position to become the great figure of the tournamentnot even Neymar.
“No one is in a position to be the best in the World Cup, not even Neymar,” he concluded.
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