Zico says Neymar’s World Cup hopes depend on playing run | OneFootball

Flamengo and Brazil great Zico says Neymar’s prospects of going to the World Cup hinge on him putting together a sustained run of matches.

"On Neymar, it depends only on him. He has to play. If he keeps playing consistently, I think any coach would want a player of his level," said Zico. He was speaking to LeoDias.

Santos have played 22 matches this season, yet their No 10 has featured only eight times. His longest uninterrupted spell on the pitch was three games in 2026. The eventual champions will need to contest eight matches to lift the World Cup.

[O Mais Querido] are well stocked with internationals. In Brazil’s case, the coach has already indicated that Danilo’s place is well advanced. There is also a chance Alex Sandro, Lucas Paquetá, Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira could wear the Amarelinha.

The next chance for the rubro-negros to catch Ancelotti’s eye comes on Thursday 16, when the [Mais Querido] host Independiente Medellín (COL) at the Maracanã. Kick-off is 21:30 Brasília time in the second round of Group A of the [Libertadores].

Source: Coluna Do Fla