Shocking Messi confession on Neymar at World Cup despite fitness fears

Lionel Messi is all in support of his former teammate at FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The footballing legend has publicly backed Neymar's inclusion in Brazil's squad for the 2026 World Cup, stating that the Brazilian star remains one of the world's elite players when fit.

Messi drops massive plea for injured Neymar to make 2026 World Cup

Messi recently acknowledged his personal bias as a close friend but stressed Neymar's place among the best talents who deserve to shine on the global stage. He told @polloalvarezok:

"I can’t be very objective, he’s a friend of mine. Obviously, I would LOVE for him to go and for good things to happen to him because he deserves it.”

The former Barca player added:

"At World Cups, we always want the best players to be there and Ney, as long as he’s around, will always be one of them."

The heartfelt message highlights their deep bond forged during Barcelona's MSN era. At 34, Neymar has been working to regain full fitness after persistent injuries, with his last appearance for Brazil coming in October 2023.

The Brazilian is currently playing for Santos, where he has shown glimpses of his trademark flair this season. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that Neymar is in the preliminary squad considerations but must prove his physical readiness in the coming weeks.

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