Lionel Messi breaks silence on Neymar’s World Cup participation

Lionel Messi has already turned his attention toward the upcoming World Cup, and one of the biggest topics surrounding the tournament involves his longtime friend and rival, Neymar, Ole reports.

During an appearance on “Lo del Pollo,” Messi addressed speculation surrounding Neymar’s possible absence from the competition. The Argentine legend made it clear he hopes the Brazilian star finds his way onto the sport’s biggest stage.

“I can’t be very objective, he’s a friend,” Messi said. “Obviously, I’d love for him to go, for good things to happen to him because he deserves it.”

Messi also emphasized how much elite talent matters during a World Cup, especially when it comes to players capable of changing matches instantly.

“At the World Cup, we always want the best players to be there, and Neymar, as long as he’s there, will always be one of them,” he added.

Leo Messi on Neymar at the World Cup: “I can’t be very objective, he’s a friend of mine. Obviously, I would LOVE for him to go and for good things to happen to him because he deserves it”.

"At World Cups, we always want the best players to be there and Ney, as long as he’s… pic.twitter.com/FBtdBdMPd9

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2026

Messi reflects on World Cup expectations

Messi’s comments arrive with anticipation continuing to build ahead of the tournament. While Argentina has not officially confirmed his participation, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner already sounds mentally locked into another World Cup run.

The interview blended football discussion with personal reflection, giving fans another glimpse into the bond Messi and Neymar built over the years. The two superstars spent several memorable seasons together at Barcelona before reconnecting later at Paris Saint-Germain.

Rumors about Neymar’s status have sparked concern across the football world, especially considering his history of injuries and setbacks. Messi’s remarks showed support beyond competition or national allegiances.

For many fans, seeing Messi and Neymar share another World Cup stage would represent one more chapter in one of football’s defining eras.

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