Brazil’s forward Neymar revealed he cried for hours after he was included in the national team’s World Cup squad by manager Carlo Ancelotti. The talismanic striker was recently left out of the Brazil squad for the International friendlies in March when they faced France and Croatia.
The Santos striker has struggled to return to top fitness since he tore his left ACL in October 2023. Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals.
“It’s difficult to explain with words the emotions I’ve felt,” Neymar said while addressing his Santos teammates and the club staff on his social media.
“I want to thank everyone here. This call-up wasn’t just for me but for everyone involved in the process, everyone who was with me on the pitch, off the pitch, looking after our safety, our fitness and our meals. I admit that I cried for several hours because it was by no means easy to arrive at this point.
“Those who have been with me through it all know that it was difficult, it was hard. But after hearing my name on the list, all the sacrifices and all the effort was worth it.”
The forward gave his gratitude to the fans for always believing in him despite all the injury woes.
“Thank you for your support, for always believing in me,” he said. “I’m here to thank you for your support throughout my career. We’re in this together as Brazil heads for a sixth World Cup title.”
Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, followed by Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Éderson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)
Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibañez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paquetá (Flamengo)
Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth)
