“One of the most exciting and happiest days of my life”: Neymar’s first reaction after his call-up for the 2026 World Cup

A moment he will remember for the rest of his life. The day after his call-up for the 2026 World Cup which he will play this summer (June 11-July 19) with Brazil, Neymar published a video of his reaction at the time of the announcement of coach Carlo Ancelotti’s list. In the midst of his loved ones, gathered for the occasion, the Santos striker first let his joy burst forth, his fists clenched, before bursting into tears under the screams and confetti.

Top scorer in the history of the selection with 79 goals, Neymar had never been called up by the Italian coach. We have to go back to October 18, 2023 to see Neymar again with the Brazil jersey, against Uruguay in the qualifiers for the World Cup (2-0 defeat).

The star published a fifteen-minute video on YouTube this Monday to recount “one of the most exciting and happiest days” of his life. “Thank you Brazil,” he said on Instagram. The former Paris Saint-Germain leader also shared an excerpt from a call with his teammate Raphinha, where the FC Barcelona player congratulated him on his call-up. “Rapha, thank you for everything, with all my heart, you know the affection I have for you. Everything will be fine. We’re gonna win the damn thing, we’re gonna win the damn thing! » Neymar tells him.

Having undergone surgery on his left knee to treat a medial meniscus injury on December 23, the Brazilian star quickly returned to the field and made a string of starts. He was openly aiming for a return with the five-time world champions with a view to the World Cup which he will therefore play for the fourth time in his career.

Even if his comeback was the subject of numerous scenes of jubilation in Brazil, Ancelotti’s choice to repatriate Neymar is discussed in particular by part of the local press.