Lionel Messi Insists Neymar Must Be at the World Cup

Lionel Messi doesn’t see a World Cup without Neymar. In his mind, it simply shouldn’t exist.

Speaking on Lo del Pollo with Pollo Álvarez, the Argentina and Inter Miami CF star was blunt when asked about his former teammate’s place in Brazil’s plans.

“We want the best players to be there [at the World Cup] and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said. No caveats. No conditions.

For Messi, this is not a neutral opinion, and he openly admitted as much.

“It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football. I hope he can be there, but I can't be objective, because he always has to be there.

“I can't be objective. Neymar is a friend ... Obviously, I'd love for him to be at the World Cup, for good things to happen to him because he deserves it for the kind of person he is. And I hope he can be there.”

The bond between the two was forged at the very top of the game. Four seasons together at Barça, then two more at Paris Saint-Germain, turned a dazzling front line into a lasting friendship. Both walked away from PSG in 2023, Messi heading to MLS with Inter Miami, Neymar taking a different route to the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal.

Messi’s admiration runs deeper than Neymar’s stepovers and goals.

“He has a very special charisma,” Messi said. “He doesn't put on an act, he lives his life as it is, according to what he feels without worrying about the repercussions. He lives his life, he's happy, and he's very natural.”

That carefree image now sits alongside a harder reality. Neymar returned to Santos just over a year ago, chasing rhythm, fitness and one more shot at the biggest stage. A fourth World Cup remains the target.

The road has been brutal. Injuries and poor form have kept him out of the Brazil squad since October 2023. Since Carlo Ancelotti took charge in June, the country’s all-time leading scorer — 79 goals for the Seleção — has not featured in a single one of his squads.

Even so, Ancelotti has not closed the door.

“He is capable of getting back to 100%,” the Brazil coach told L’Équipe last month, a line that keeps hope alive for player and country.

Neymar’s body has not cooperated. He underwent minor surgery on his left knee on December 22, then needed another knee procedure in late March. Each operation pushed the comeback further away, each rehab session another race against the clock.

From Messi’s perspective, though, the debate is already settled. Form, fitness, controversy — all secondary. Neymar, he insists, belongs on that stage.

Whether Ancelotti and Brazil agree, with a World Cup looming and a nation demanding guarantees, is a very different question.