Lionel Messi has expressed his hope that Neymar will recover from persistent injury troubles in time to represent Brazil at next month’s FIFA World Cup 2026.
Speaking on the Lo Del Pollo show, the Argentina captain insisted that the forward remains among the sport's elite, regardless of his recent lack of match fitness.
The 38-year-old acknowledged that his close friendship with his former teammate affects his neutrality but maintained that the tournament would be diminished without the Brazilian’s presence.
The 32-year-old Brazil record goalscorer has faced a difficult period since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
Although he eventually returned to action with his boyhood club, Santos, his availability has remained limited. He has managed just 12 appearances across all competitions this year, following 28 matches in 2025.
Despite these setbacks, Messi argued that the forward's status and what he represents for football make him an essential participant for the upcoming tournament.
The pair shared a successful tenure at FC Barcelona between 2013 and 2017 before reuniting at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.
Reflecting on their bond, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner described his friend as a person of unique character who lives naturally and without pretence.
He noted that the Brazilian possesses a special charisma and deserves to feature on the world stage for both his personality and his professional contributions to the game.
Turning his attention to Argentina’s prospects, Messi admitted that defending the title they won in 2022 will be a significant challenge.
He identified Spain, France, and Brazil as the leading contenders for the trophy, suggesting that several nations are currently in better form than the holders.
While he remains hopeful about his country's chances, he urged a realistic assessment of the quality of the opposition, noting that the standard of competition in the World Cup remains exceptionally high.
