Santos forward Neymar issued a public statement after evacuating from the national team due to injury.
Neymar this month surprises Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
However, he took a step back from the squad, focused on his recovery and made sure he was fully healthy.
In an Instagram story posted on Friday, Neymar expressed his gratitude to everyone who sent support during this challenging time. He said “The rewards seem so close, but unfortunately, I can’t wear the famous national team jersey at the moment.”
He further mentioned “We had extensive discussions and everyone was aware of my strong desire to return. However, we made a common decision to prioritize my entire recovery and avoid any risks.
“Thank you for your encouragement message. This is an integral part of the process.”
Recall that Neymar, 33, turned from Al-Hilal to Santos earlier this year in hopes of revitalizing his career. He has had an impressive impact since returning to his home country, scoring three goals and providing three assists in seven appearances.
While Neymar is also associated with his move to Barcelona and Bayern Munich, his focus remains on recovery and current commitments.
As Neymar withdraws from the Brazilian national team, Flamenco right-back Danilo and Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson also retreats to clear the way for Real Madrid’s Enderick, Flamenco defender Alex Sandro and Lyon’s Lucas Perri.
