Neymar has opened up on the pressure that comes with playing for the Brazilian national team as he continues to work his way towards full fitness.
The 34-year-old suggested that the Brazilian public often strips away his humanity, viewing him as a commodity rather than a person. Neymar’s admission comes at a time he’s trying to balance a high-profile second spell at boyhood club Santos with the physical demands needed to play at the highest level.
Neymar did not hold back when describing the environment surrounding the Selecao, emphasizing that the “crushing” nature of the fans and media creates a suffocating atmosphere for even the big names.
Neymar Jr. reacts during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Brazil and Venezuela at Arena Pantanal on October 12, 2023 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
“It’s a high price to pay to be a player, it’s difficult, because in Brazil it’s very grueling,” Neymar declared, as quoted by Globo Esporte. “People really crush you. They don’t understand that you’re a normal person. It’s all good: it’s tough; I’m incredibly grateful, but I worked for this, but I’m a human being. I have the same feelings as you, I also suffer, I feel pain, I wake up in a bad mood, I cry, I get angry, I get happy, it’s normal. Why can’t I do normal things?”
Since being left out of Brazil’s latest squad, Neymar has been spending quality time with his family as well as keeping a close eye on the international scene.
Watching Brazil’s friendly clash against France, which ended with a score of 2-1 for Les Bleus’ victory, Neymar took a moment to appreciate the quality of his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate, Kylian Mbappe, who opened the scoring.
Neymar was filmed reacting to the Real Madrid star’s clinical nature in front of goal during his recovery session. “There in front of the goal, he [Mbappe] doesn’t miss,” Neymar remarked.
Despite the result going against the Selecao, Neymar remains focused on the bigger picture as the World Cup approaches, stating: “The World Cup is coming and everyone has to be flying high, let’s go!”
With the World Cup set to start in the next few months, Neymar will be eager to prove his fitness by helping Santos climb the Brazilian Serie A standings, where they currently sit 16th after picking up just seven points from their first eight matches of the season.
