After a two-and-a-half-year absence, Neymar, 34, was selected for Brazil's World Cup squad, causing a frenzy across the country. Beyond his sponsored posts on social media, the superstar briefly appeared on a live YouTube stream, visibly emotional.

Neymar's First Reaction After World Cup Call-Up

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti announced Neymar's inclusion in Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, during a press conference at a museum in Rio de Janeiro. This marks Neymar's fourth World Cup appearance, following those in 2014, 2018, and 2022. His name was greeted with prolonged applause and cheers from the audience, causing Ancelotti to pause briefly before continuing to unveil the rest of the roster.

Extensive reactions poured in from across Brazil. Fans in bars, on the streets, and even Marcelo at home expressed their joy. Neymar, whose 34-year-old body has been battered by injuries, returning as "Ney" is a special moment.

Officially, Neymar responded to the call-up with three sponsored posts on his Instagram. One was for a fast-food chain, another for an electronics website, and the third for his sponsor, Puma, which wrote: "The call-up we've all been waiting for. It wouldn't be a World Cup without Neymar." This post has already garnered over 3.5 million likes.

However, the former Barcelona and PSG player, now with Santos, was seen in a more informal setting. While his friend, influencer Cris Guedes, reacted live to Ancelotti's announcement on the YouTube channel Madhouse TV, Neymar made a brief appearance, falling into his friend's arms and shouting with joy: "I'm here! I'm here!"

Cris Guedes later wrote on his Instagram: "I saw with my own eyes how much you've fought over these last four years to get here. Every battle, every failure, every time the world doubted you and you kept going. God has guided everything in the best way possible."