“He’s our best player,” Rodrygo labels Neymar Jr. as biggest asset for Brazil amidst reports that player’s recovery has been delayed again

Rodrygo asserted the fact that Brazil is in desperate need of Neymar Jr. for reshaping Brazil's campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers.

“He’s our best player,” Rodrygo labels Neymar Jr. as biggest asset for Brazil amidst reports that player’s recovery has been delayed again

Rodrygo, Neymar Jr., image courtesy:X

Neymar Jr. has been sidelined with his anterior cruciate ligament injury since October 2023 and it is still not clear when he will come back to the yard. As far as the latest update goes, Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League club that signed him, wants to wait him out until January so that they can register all their foreign players for the first half of the ongoing football season.

Brazil’s World Cup Qualifiers hasn’t exactly been the same without Neymar as they are slotted in the fourth place and are eight points adrift of leaders, Argentina. In an interview recently, Brazilian star, Rodrygo has mentioned that the Selecao are in dire need of Neymar and his presence in the side for the ongoing qualifiers would boost their attacking options.

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I have no words. Everyone can see it, it's clear how much he's missed. He's our star, our best player. To win a World Cup, everyone has to be well to help him. If he's well, which is what we're hoping for, he's in the final stages of his recovery. We want him back as soon as possible.
Rodrygo said to ESPN

Just to clarify why Neymar is so important for Brazil, he has been a part of the Selecao since 2010 and has been a part of 128 matches. Out of all his appearances for the Brazilian national team, he has fired home 79 goals. His presence in the midfield warrants extra precaution from the opposition and also enhances Brazil’s attacking flair.

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Here’s what Brazil’s recent run in international arcade has looked like

Brazil’s recent run in the national affairs haven’t exactly been great. Despite a win against Ecuador in their last World Cup Qualifier, their exit from the Copa America in the quarter-final hogged unwanted media fanfare. They didn’t do significantly well in the group stages either where they drew with Costa Rica and Colombia.

Neymar Jr
Raphinha, Vinicius Jr., Lucas Paqueta, Neymar, image courtesy: X

Brazil is currently in the fourth place in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with three wins from seven matches while drawing one of them. Argentina comfortably is at the top with six wins from seven games while being followed by Uruguay and Colombia in the second and the third place respectively.

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