Romário, one of Brazil's most celebrated football legends, recently shared his thoughts on the current state of Brazilian football and his conversations with Neymar. The 1994 World Cup champion emphasized both his hope for the national team and his confidence in Neymar's future.
During his recent appearance at the Maracanã for the farewell of Adriano "Imperador" to football, Romário expressed his desire to see Neymar return to the national team. Neymar has been sidelined due to injuries, and Romário mentioned, "O Neymar esteve lá em casa. Ele é muito amigo do Romarinho e muito meu amigo, tenho uma relação muito boa com o pai dele. A gente falou sobre seleção, a volta dele, ele está bastante ansioso para poder voltar a jogar e vestir a camisa da seleção." This shows just how close they are, as Neymar confides not only to Romário but also relies on the friendship of his son, Romarinho.
Romário noted the importance of Neymar taking on his responsibilities as one of Brazil's star players, especially with the upcoming 2026 World Cup looming. "E o mais importante é que ele tem bastante consciência da responsabilidade dele daqui para frente, principalmente até a Copa do Mundo," he said, indicating he's well aware of what’s at stake.
Neymar's injury woes have been persistent. Since the last World Cup, he has played only 20 times. After suffering from a torn thigh tendon in November 2023, he finally made his return to football this November, only to face another setback shortly after. His current projected return to action isn’t until 2025.
Romário expressed concern over the current Brazilian national team's performance. He reflected, "Estou vendo passar aqui, Ronaldo, Zico, Romário, Adriano, e ver a Seleção de hoje é um pouco triste, mas a gente é brasileiro e não pode perder a esperança." Despite his disappointment, he maintains optimism, especially with the thought of Neymar rejoining the squad. He stated, "Esperamos que o Neymar volte o mais rápido possível para dar uma força, principalmente na parte técnica, que estamos precisando." Romário points to Neymar's invaluable technical skills as something the team desperately needs.
Romário’s sentiment resonates with many fans who yearn for the glory days of Brazilian football marked by the likes of Zico, Ronaldo, and himself. The legendary player believes there is still hope for the national team, alluding to the fact they continue to qualify for World Cups, and he insists they will participate again.
Despite the clear difference between past star-studded teams and today’s roster, Romário insists he sees room for improvement and growth as long as skilled players like Neymar are active and committed.
His loyalty to the Brazilian national team and hope for its resurgence are palpable.
The conversation around Romário and Neymar isn’t just about personal friendships; it reflects the broader expectations fans place on their heroes. Romário’s guidance and council could very well help Neymar on his road to recovery and eventual return to the international stage. With Brazil eyeing the next World Cup, all eyes are on Neymar to inspire the next generation.
Romário's experiences, both as a former player and as someone who is actively engaged with the current state of the sport, offer valuable perspectives. He remains hopeful not just for Neymar, but for the collective spirit of Brazilian football. His involvement not only as a player but also as club president of America-RJ showcases his continuing dedication to the sport and its future.
The upcoming years are poised to be significant as Brazil prepares for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Romário's insights provide a glimpse of optimism amid uncertainty, serving as both inspiration and expectation for fans.
With Neymar's anticipated recovery and Romário's continuous support for the team, Brazilian football might just find its way back to glory.
