The Neymar dilemma: World Cup hope or lost cause?
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Reading Time: 1min | Fri. 26.09.25. | 16:59
Ronaldo Nazario still believes in his magic, while journalists point to a lifestyle that keeps him far from his prime
There will always be debate in world football about Neymar: did he truly fulfill his potential, or did brilliance only appear in flashes? Even now, before officially becoming a footballing retiree, the Brazilian remains a source of controversy.
The former Santos prodigy has been left out of recent Brazil squads, with Carlo Ancelotti seeing little reason to call him up given his modest form.
Yet Ronaldo Nazario, one of Brazil's all-time greats, is adamant Neymar must be called up for the next year's World Cup.
"Neymar is a key player for the national team. We don't have another like him. People hope he'll be 100% fit and go to the World Cup, because with him we have a much greater chance of achieving something big," said Ronaldo.
But, as often with Neymar, there is another side to the story. Brazilian journalist Rodolfo Gomes argues that the superstar's best days are gone, undone by his off-pitch choices.
"Neymar is addicted to whiskey and energy drinks, smokes hookah, and doesn't go to bed before four or five in the morning," Gomes claimed.
With habits like those, many doubt Neymar will ever truly return to Brazil's national team spotlight.
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