Neymar feels like an '18-year-old' ahead of his 'last' World Cup
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Brazilian star Neymar feels like an "18-year-old" ahead of what he calls his "last" World Cup.
- He is currently battling a calf muscle injury, casting doubt on his participation in Brazil's opener.
- Despite past World Cup disappointments, Neymar expresses pride and happiness to be part of the tournament.
Brazilian football icon Neymar is embracing the upcoming World Cup with a youthful spirit, describing his feelings as akin to an "18-year-old" heading into his fourth and potentially final tournament.
However, the star forward is currently sidelined with a calf muscle injury, raising concerns about his availability for Brazil's opening match against Morocco. The 34-year-old has not played since May 17 and is undergoing rehabilitation.
Neymar's journey in the World Cup has been marked by high expectations and, in recent tournaments, disappointment. Brazil has not won the competition since 2002, and despite Neymar's presence since 2014, the team has fallen short. His best performance was in 2014 when Brazil hosted the tournament, ending in a devastating 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany.
Despite these past setbacks and his current injury concerns, Neymar conveys a sense of renewed determination and joy. "I am here looking like a kid, an 18-year-old who is going to his first World Cup," he stated in a preview for the upcoming film "Vai, Brasil." "I am very proud, very happy to be here. I am going to enjoy every second, every moment of this World Cup and I hope this one will be special too."
Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.