João Fonseca backs Neymar for Brazil’s World Cup squad | OneFootball

Brazilian tennis star João Fonseca has backed Neymar’s inclusion for the World Cup, arguing the Santos No 10’s experience could aid Brazil. Neymar is working to make Ancelotti’s final squad on 18 May.

"I do believe Brazil can have a good World Cup. I am in favour of Neymar at the World Cup because his history and experience would be an extra factor. Obviously I am not the biggest football expert, it is just my opinion, but I am certainly cheering for Brazil to be champions," he told ESPN.

Fonseca, 19, is Brazil’s leading tennis prospect, already ranked inside the world’s top 25. He owns two titles, ATP 250 Buenos Aires and ATP 500 Basel, and was nominated for the 2025 Laureus Breakthrough.

Last year Neymar shared an Instagram story watching Fonseca at the Australian Open. Mourinho, Mbappe and several Brazil players have also backed his call-up, a topic often put to Ancelotti in press conferences.

Fans chanted Neymar’s name during Brazil’s March friendlies. After an arthroscopy late last year he returned under managed minutes at Santos, featuring six times in 2026, against Velo Clube, Novorizontino, Vasco, Corinthians, Internacional and Remo.

He has three goals and three assists. He will miss Flamengo on Sunday due to suspension, but has 12 games before the final list, including league meetings with Atlético-MG, Fluminense, Bahia, Palmeiras, Red Bull Bragantino and Coritiba, Sudamericana ties with Deportivo Cuenca, Recoleta twice and San Lorenzo, plus Copa do Brasil matches with Coritiba.

Source: Diario Do Peixe