For months, discussions have centered on the function Neymar ought to play for the Brazil nationwide crew, given his repeated absences since Carlo Ancelotti took over as head coach. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 getting nearer, Casemiro weighed in, utilizing Lionel Messi for example.
“We are able to’t rule him out if he’s enjoying effectively,” Casemiro mentioned about Neymar throughout a current interview with GE. “If he’s bodily and mentally match, he’s certainly the most effective. I’m an enormous admirer of his as a participant.”
This represents robust help for the ahead at a fragile second, contemplating not solely his omission from Brazil’s November worldwide break squad but additionally the harsh criticism he has confronted for his performances with Santos in Serie A.
The Manchester United midfielder as soon as once more emphasised the significance of Neymar staying wholesome. “If he’s in good condition, he’ll be crucial for us as a result of he’s a world-class participant… He’s indispensable for any nationwide crew,” mentioned the midfielder.
Brazil midfielder Casemiro.
“I’ve recognized Neymar since he was 12 years previous. He performed for Santos, I performed for Moreira. He’s all the time been very, very totally different. He can resolve a match at any second,” added Casemiro. “It’s a privilege to say I’ve performed with Neymar. It’s unbelievable. And in my day-to-day life, I do know his crew and the way he works very effectively.”
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Casemiro compares Messi with Neymar
In the identical dialog, Casemiro clarified that Brazil will want a selected plan to profit from the Santos ahead’s skills. “It’s not like Neymar simply stands nonetheless whereas the remainder of us run. That doesn’t exist,” mentioned the 33-year-old midfielder.
“However Argentina did it,” Casemiro added. “Julian Alvarez dropped again whereas Messi performed as a false 9. They defended with a low block, and Messi stayed up entrance,” defined the Manchester United midfielder, referring to Argentina’s system on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Certainly, through the ultimate years of Lionel Scaloni’s tenure with Argentina, Messi has loved complete freedom with the ball but additionally taken on an outlined function when defending. He stays as essentially the most superior participant, presses when doable, and helps his teammates in that part of play.
Nonetheless, it’s the middle ahead—both Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez—who drops deeper to mark the participant Messi would usually be accountable for. That setup permits the crew’s star to preserve power, saving it for what he does greatest: creating harmful probabilities close to the opponent’s field.
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Ancelotti shares an identical view to Casemiro on Neymar
Casemiro’s feedback about Lionel Messi’s function as a ‘false 9’ with Argentina, and the way that might function a mannequin for Neymar, align with remarks that the head coach of Brazil made simply days in the past relating to his personal concepts for the Santos ahead.
“I feel he must play extra centrally, not as a winger, as a result of wingers in as we speak’s soccer are gamers it is advisable assist defensively as effectively,” Ancelotti mentioned in a current interview with Placar. “Whenever you play just a little extra centrally, the defensive work is way lower than while you play as a winger.”
The coach then speculated about how Neymar may adapt to enjoying as a ‘false 9,’ much like Messi’s function with Argentina now and again. “Could possibly be his splendid place,” admitted Ancelotti. “I additionally suppose {that a} very proficient participant, nearer to the purpose, has extra alternatives to attain objectives.”
