Honestly, if you ask a hundred people in São Paulo what they think of Neymar, you’ll get a hundred different versions of the same headache. He’s the guy who broke Pelé's scoring record. He’s also the guy who spent more time on a stretcher than on the pitch during the most important games of the last decade. It’s a weird, complicated legacy. You can’t talk about the Neymar Brazil national football team story without acknowledging that he is simultaneously the most productive player in the country's history and its most polarizing figure.
He's currently 33, turning 34 in February 2026. Right now, he’s back in the gym at Santos, working on a knee that has seen better days. After a meniscus surgery in late 2025—which he actually delayed just to help Santos avoid relegation—the big question isn't just "can he play?" It’s "does Brazil still need him?"
The 79-Goal Elephant in the Room
People love to argue that Neymar isn't fit to lace Pelé’s boots. But the numbers don't care about your feelings. In September 2023, during a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, Neymar bagged two goals to reach 79 for the Neymar Brazil national football team career. That put him two clear of Pelé.
Think about that.
For 61 years, Pelé’s 77 goals felt like a mountain no one could climb. Not Zico. Not Romário. Not even "The Phenomenon" Ronaldo. Neymar did it. He did it in 128 games, and while his goal-per-game ratio ($0.62$) isn't quite as godly as Pelé’s ($0.84$), it’s remarkably consistent.
But here is where the vibe gets tricky. Pelé has three World Cups. Neymar has zero. In Brazil, that’s the only currency that really matters. You can score a thousand goals against Japan and Bolivia, but if you don't lift that gold trophy in July, there’s always going to be an asterisk next to your name in the local bars.
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Why the Neymar Brazil National Football Team Story Is Defined by "What Ifs"
If you want to understand why Neymar’s international career feels so tragic, look at 2014. It was supposed to be his year. The poster boy. The chosen one. Then Juan Camilo Zúñiga’s knee met Neymar’s third lumbar vertebra in the quarter-final.
Brazil won that game, but they lost their soul.
Without him, the 7-1 happened. That nightmare against Germany wasn't just a tactical failure; it was a psychological collapse because the one guy who could make magic happen was stuck in a hospital bed.
Then came 2018. He was recovering from a foot injury. He played, sure, but he spent half the tournament rolling on the grass. The "Neymar Challenge" became a global meme. It was embarrassing for a nation that prides itself on "Joga Bonito." By 2022, he finally looked ready, scored a world-class goal against Croatia in the quarter-final, and then watched from the center circle as Brazil’s defense fell apart in the dying minutes. He didn't even get to take his penalty in the shootout.
- 2014: Fractured vertebra (Missed the semi-final).
- 2018: Ankle issues (Limited mobility, heavy criticism for diving).
- 2022: Ankle injury in the opener (Returned for the knockouts, but the team failed).
- 2026: Coming off an ACL rupture and subsequent meniscus surgery.
It’s a pattern of physical fragility that has robbed him of his peak years. He hasn't actually played for the national team since October 2023. That’s a long time to be away from the yellow shirt.
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The Ancelotti Factor and a "Luxury" Future
There's a new era starting. Carlo Ancelotti is the man everyone expects to lead this ship, even with the constant drama surrounding the coaching seat. Ancelotti is a "player's manager." He knows how to handle big egos.
Word is that Neymar is actually open to a role change. He’s 33. He knows he can’t sprint past 22-year-old wingers for 90 minutes anymore. There are reports from outlets like UOL Esporte suggesting he’s willing to be a "luxury substitute." Basically, he’d be the veteran presence in the locker room—the guy you bring on for the last 20 minutes when you need one perfect pass to break a deadlock.
It makes sense.
Brazil has Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Endrick now. They have the speed. What they lack is the "malícia"—that cynical, genius veteran instinct. Neymar playing as a #10 or a deep-lying playmaker could be exactly what a young, frantic Brazil needs.
Is 2026 the Final Act?
Neymar’s dad recently admitted that Junior almost retired. The mental toll of rehab is a beast. Imagine spending two years of your life just trying to walk without pain, only to get injured again three games into your comeback.
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But he signed that extension with Santos through 2026. He’s training. He’s smiling.
He wants that one last shot at the World Cup in North America. Whether he’s the captain or a bench player, his presence on the Neymar Brazil national football team roster will be the biggest story of the tournament.
What to Watch For Next
If you’re tracking Neymar’s progress toward the 2026 World Cup, keep an eye on these specific milestones over the next few months:
- The March Friendlies: If he isn't called up by the national team for the March 2026 window, it’s a sign that his fitness isn't where it needs to be for the elite level.
- Minutes at Santos: Watch his "burst" speed in the Brazilian Série A. If he’s avoiding 1-on-1 dribbles, he’s playing scared of another injury.
- The Playmaker Shift: See if he starts dropping deeper into the midfield. His future isn't on the wing; it’s in the "hole" behind the strikers.
- Fitness Consistency: He needs a solid six months of injury-free football. If he picks up even a minor hamstring strain before June, the national team staff might decide the risk is too high.
Neymar doesn't need more goals to prove he’s a legend. He needs to show he can be part of a winning team without the whole world revolving around him. If he can do that, the 2026 World Cup might finally provide the ending his stats deserve.