Casemiro’s blunt advice to Neymar: “First, he needs to take care of himself and then think about playing”

The two Brazil veterans — and close friends under Carlo Ancelotti with the national team — will head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup under pressure to deliver Brazil’s sixth title.

Neymar’s call-up to Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked controversy, especially with concerns growing over whether he will be fit enough to play due to injury. That situation prompted a response from Casemiro — his longtime friend and veteran teammate for this summer’s tournament — who addressed the Brazilian star directly while trying to calm the uncertainty surrounding him.

THE FRIEND WHO TELLS HIM THE TRUTH FOR HIS OWN GOOD

In a blunt statement, the former Real Madrid and Manchester United midfielder brought Neymar back down to earth, urging him to take things one step at a time — especially with Brazil carrying the pressure of winning a sixth World Cup title and honoring the championships the Seleção lifted in Mexico 1970 and the United States 1994.

“It has to happen step by step. First, Neymar needs to get healthy again, and only then think about becoming a key player and getting back on the field. Right now, the most important thing is taking care of his health,” the captain said during a press conference in Teresópolis, in the mountains outside Rio de Janeiro, visibly frustrated that most of the questions focused solely on Neymar’s physical condition.

“Neymar is another player within the group, an important player among the 26. Right now, he’s recovering from injury and looking to return to training first.”

HE BELIEVES NEYMAR WILL RECOVER

Carlos Henrique Casimiro pointed to Neymar’s experience, recalling how the forward overcame even tougher injuries before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 tournament in Qatar. This time, Neymar is dealing with a Grade II strain in his right calf, an injury expected to sideline him for two to three weeks. As a result, he is set to miss Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“He’s already been through so much in football, but there’s no doubt he can still bring tremendous experience. Everyone in the squad already knows each other… and going into his fourth World Cup, we know how important that experience is.

“No player likes being injured, but hopefully Neymar and all the players can stay healthy and be available because we know we need everyone,” Casemiro added.

There is no doubt Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad boosted excitement across the country. However, concerns about his physical condition have also created tension around the Seleção, which recently faced criticism after players arrived by helicopter.

NEYMAR AND CASEMIRO, FRIENDS SINCE CHILDHOOD

Even though they became rivals during the heated clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona — and despite having very different careers and personalities — Neymar and Casemiro have been friends since facing each other in youth competitions at ages 11 and 12.

The two also shared the locker room throughout Brazil’s national team system, from youth categories all the way to the senior squad.

Casemiro has even described Neymar as a world-class talent on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That is why he believes Brazil should never leave Neymar out of the national team setup — including now, despite the forward struggling for form with Santos in Brazil. Casemiro fully supports the decision to bring him to the World Cup.