🗣️ Casemiro says Neymar should go to the World Cup if fully fit | OneFootball

Tipped to be Brazil’s captain at the upcoming World Cup, Casemiro was inevitably asked about Neymar.

And the Manchester United midfielder gave his opinion: if Santos’ No. 10 is in good physical condition, he must have a guaranteed spot among the 26 called up. 

At first, Casemiro spoke about how close he is to Neymar and what stance the national team’s coaching staff has taken. 

"It’s a very awkward topic (to talk about). I’m Neymar’s friend. I’ve played with Neymar since we were 12 years old (...). It’s very clear. At least in my opinion. Neymar doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. Ancelotti has already made the physical issue clear, whether he’ll be able to get closer (to the ideal level) physically. Talent... I don’t even need to talk about what a great player he is, what a great player he has been, and the talent he has with the ball at his feet," he said in an interview with ESPN Brasil. 

Casemiro also wrapped up by stressing the importance of Neymar reaching ideal condition by the 18th. 

"The big issue is the physical side (...) If he’s physically fit, there’s no discussion. He has to go (to the World Cup), he’s the team’s main man, he’s the team’s star. The issue is that it’s also up to him to be physically fit."

How many matches will he have before the call-up?

Carlo Ancelotti will announce the 26 selected players on the 18th, at an event at the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro.

That leaves just four more opportunities for Peixe’s No. 10 to prove himself.

He was absent against Palmeiras last Saturday (2) because of the artificial pitch and now faces decisive matches.

The first is already this Tuesday (5) against Recoleta on Paraguayan soil in the fourth round of Copa Sudamericana Group D. Santos are bottom of the group.

Next comes a Brasileirão match, with the mission of bouncing back, as the team currently sits only 16th.

Then there will be two matches against Coritiba. The first is the second leg of the fifth round after a 0-0 draw in the first leg. And the second is in the league.

5/5 - Recoleta (A) - Copa Sudamericana

10/5 - Red Bull Bragantino (H) - Brasileirão

13/5 - Coritiba (A) - Copa do Brasil

17/5 - Coritiba (H) - Brasileirão

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 ODD ANDERSEN