Morristown, United States: Brazilian star Neymar said he feels like a “kid” ahead of what will be fourth and “final” World Cup, which could yet risk being derailed by a nagging calf injury.
The 34-year-old is a doubt for the start of Brazil´s World Cup campaign and is expected to miss their tournament opener against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday. But Brazil´s all-time record scorer is said to be “recovering well” and will hope to play a part for Carlo Ancelotti´s side in the United States.
The five-time champions play Haiti on June 19 and face Scotland five days later in their final Group C match. “Even though it´s my fourth World Cup, it´s a different feeling because of everything involved and, obviously, because it´s the final one,” Neymar said in a preview of the feature-length documentary “Vai, Brasil” (Go, Brazil), due to be released on Wednesday.
Neymar has been an integral part of Brazil´s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023.
“I´m here feeling like a kid, like an 18-year-old going to his first World Cup,” said the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward. “I´m very proud, very happy to be here. I´m going to enjoy every second, every moment of this World Cup and I hope it will be special as well,” he added.
Neymar made his World Cup debut on home soil in 2014 but was sidelined by injury when Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals at the past two tournaments.
