Neymar sees Flamengo game as key audition for Brazil's World Cup squad: Report
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The forward is ready to prove his worth for a place in the national squad.
According to UOL, Neymar sees Flamengo vs. Santos on April 5 at the Maracanã, the 10th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, as essential to his chances of being selected for Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup team.
Brazil’s coaching team will closely monitor the match, which he believes is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that he can still compete at a top level.
Prior to that, he intends to play Remo on Thursday in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. However, he believes the Flamengo match will be more important for his selection, according to the news.
Neymar is under immense pressure. He faces uncertainty over his place in the Brazil squad, and could miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The game against Flamengo could be a make-or-break for the forward’s prospect of making it into the squad. Hence, he will be eager to give his utmost against them.
Can Neymar make it to Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad?
New head coach Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated many times that he will only include the former FC Barcelona player if he is fully fit and doesn’t face any injury problems before the squad call-up.
Meanwhile, since returning from a knee injury, Neymar has been playing regular football. His club, Santos, are also keeping tabs on his playing minutes as the forward continues to get into rhythm.
Moreover, many ex-Brazilian legends have urged Ancelotti to give Neymar a chance. The March international break was certainly a major shot at proving his fitness, but the former Real Madrid coach opted not to call him.
However, their defeat to France in a friendly fixture further escalated things. Fans demanded a call-up for Neymar to the national team. It leaves Neymar with no option but to prove his fitness and make a significant impact in every game until the World Cup final squad announcement.
When is the Santos game against Flamengo?
It’s on Sunday, 5th April.
Where will the game be played?
It will be played at the famous stadium Maracanã.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.