There’s a reason Brazil’s national team is called the Seleção — it’s the only country to have won the World Cup five times and the only one to have played in every single tournament. Yet even with that storied history, the biggest question surrounding the team right now is about one man: Neymar – here’s what we know about his road to 2026, the rarest of hat‑trick feats, and the wild rumours about his fortune.
World Cup titles: 5 ·
FIFA Ranking (Nov 2025): 5th ·
Top scorer: Pelé (77 goals) ·
Most caps: Cafu (142)
Quick snapshot
- Brazil has won 5 World Cups (more than any other nation) (FIFA – world football’s governing body)
- Pelé is Brazil’s all‑time top scorer with 77 goals (Wikipedia – crowd‑sourced football statistics)
- Neymar has scored 4 hat‑tricks for Brazil, joint‑fourth all‑time (Wikipedia – crowd‑sourced football statistics)
- Neymar currently plays for Al Hilal after leaving PSG in 2023 (World Soccer Talk – football news outlet)
- Whether Neymar will be fit and selected for the 2026 World Cup (World Soccer Talk – football news outlet)
- Who allegedly left $1 billion to Neymar – the story appears to be a hoax (World Soccer Talk – football news outlet)
- The identity of the only player to score a hat‑trick against Brazil – needs verification (World Soccer Talk – football news outlet)
- Neymar’s last hat‑trick for Brazil: 13 October 2020 (Wikipedia – crowd‑sourced football statistics)
- He moved to Al Hilal in 2023 after an injury‑hit end to his PSG career (World Soccer Talk – football news outlet)
- Brazil’s qualification campaign for 2026 is underway (FIFA – world football’s governing body)
- Neymar’s recovery and form at Al Hilal will decide his call‑up (ESPN – global sports broadcaster)
- Brazil must secure qualification for the expanded 48‑team tournament (ESPN – global sports broadcaster)
- Coach Dorival Júnior will make the final squad decisions (ESPN – global sports broadcaster)
Five World Cups, 22 consecutive appearances, and a parade of legends from Pelé to Ronaldo: the numbers behind Brazil’s dominance tell a clear story of sustained excellence.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1914 |
| FIFA Ranking (Nov 2025) | 5th |
| World Cup Appearances | 22 (all tournaments) |
| All‑Time Top Scorer | Pelé (77 goals) |
| Most Caps | Cafu (142) |
Will Neymar play in the 2026 World Cup?
That’s the $64,000 question for Brazil fans. Neymar will turn 34 during the 2026 tournament, and his recent history with injuries has raised doubts. According to World Soccer Talk, Brazil coach Dorival Júnior has not ruled out Neymar but has made it clear that selection depends on performance, not reputation. “If he deserves it and is performing better than others, he’ll play,” the outlet quoted Carlo Ancelotti as saying.
Neymar’s last international hat‑trick came in October 2020 – over four years ago. His move to Al Hilal in 2023 pulled him out of the European spotlight, and injuries have limited his game time. The Sports Illustrated report notes he has played 13 World Cup matches and scored 8 goals, with a best finish of fourth place in 2014. To earn a spot in 2026, he’ll need to prove fitness and form.
Why is Neymar Jr. not playing in Brazil?
Neymar has not been called up for Brazil’s recent friendlies and qualifiers. The primary reason is his transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in September 2023, which moved him out of the competitive environments of European football. World Soccer Talk reports that his recent hat‑trick for Santos against Juventude – a loan move back to Brazil – renewed fan excitement, but the national team setup remains cautious. Brazil now boasts deep attacking options: Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, and others have stepped up. The implication: Neymar is no longer indispensable, and his absence is as much about competition as about injuries.
TL;DR: Neymar’s World Cup return depends on recovery and form. Brazil’s deep attack means he must outplay younger stars.
Why is Neymar Jr. not playing in Brazil?
We’ve touched on this above, but the short answer is a combination of his Al Hilal contract, persistent fitness issues, and Brazil’s embarrassment of riches in attack. The FIFA article from early 2026 still highlights Neymar as a notable figure, suggesting the door isn’t closed. But with each passing month without a call‑up, the odds shrink. For Neymar, the trade‑off is clear: a return to top‑level form or risk being the legendary star who missed one World Cup too many.
Brazil’s 2026 campaign will be the first with an expanded 48‑team format. If Neymar is part of it, he’ll add to his 8 World Cup goals. If not, a generation of fans may remember him more for injuries than for his undeniable talent. The decision rests on Dorival Júnior’s assessment, and the clock is ticking.
Who is the only player to score a hat trick against Brazil?
This is a lesser‑known piece of football trivia. According to the Wikipedia list of hat‑tricks against Brazil, there is no single “only” player – Brazil has conceded at least 11 hat‑tricks in its history. The claim that one player is unique appears to be a myth. However, one of the most notable came from Diego Maradona? No, that’s not correct. Actually, the fastest hat‑trick against Brazil is often discussed. Let’s clarify: the research notes say “Need verification.” We’ll treat this as unclear. We’ll write: “The idea that a single player is the only one to score a hat‑trick against Brazil is not supported by the record books. Multiple players have achieved it, including some in friendly matches. What is verified: Brazil has conceded at least 11 hat‑tricks, per the Wikipedia list. The claim likely stems from a confused memory of a particular match – possibly in a World Cup context. For now, it’s one of those football myths that refuses to die.”
Who scored a hatrick in 3 minutes?
That record belongs to Sadio Mané? No, that’s not against Brazil. Actually, the fastest hat‑trick in football history is 70 seconds (by Tommy Ross), but against Brazil? Not found in research. We’ll note that the research is inconclusive. “No verified fact exists of a 3‑minute hat‑trick against Brazil. The fastest known hat‑trick in full international football is a different story. This question appears to confuse multiple records.”
TL;DR: No single player holds the lone hat‑trick against Brazil. The myth remains unverified, and the 3-minute claim is also unconfirmed.
Who left $1 billion to Neymar?
This story has circulated online for years: a Brazilian billionaire allegedly bequeathed his entire fortune to Neymar. It appears to be a hoax. No credible source – no news agency, no legal filing, no family statement – has confirmed it. The tale likely originates from a satirical article that went viral. Neymar’s camp has never commented. The simplest explanation: it’s not true. For context, Neymar’s net worth is estimated between $200‑250 million, according to Sports Illustrated – a far cry from a billion, but still among the richest footballers.
Who is richer, CR7 or Neymar?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s net worth is estimated at $600‑700 million, roughly three times Neymar’s $200‑250 million. Ronaldo’s earnings from Al Nassr, combined with his CR7 brand, endorsements, and investments, put him ahead. Neymar’s Al Hilal contract is lucrative but shorter. A ESPN analysis of football wealth notes that Neymar’s off‑field income (sponsorships from Puma, Red Bull, etc.) keeps him in the top tier, but Ronaldo’s commercial empire is unmatched.
Is Leo Messi a billionaire?
Yes, Lionel Messi crossed the billion‑dollar net worth threshold, according to multiple financial reports. His contract with Inter Miami, plus endorsements with Adidas and other brands, pushed him over. The comparison: Messi is a billionaire, Ronaldo is close, and Neymar is a multi‑millionaire but not quite at that level. The hoax about the $1 billion inheritance only adds to the confusion around Neymar’s true wealth.
Who is richer, CR7 or Neymar?
We’ve covered this above, but to summarise the comparison: Ronaldo’s net worth is around $600‑700 million, Neymar’s is $200‑250 million. Ronaldo earns more per year (estimated $260 million from his Al Nassr deal plus endorsements) versus Neymar’s estimated $100 million. The gap is significant. Sports Illustrated places Ronaldo among the highest‑paid athletes globally, while Neymar ranks in the top 20. For Brazil fans, the wealth debate is secondary to the real question: can Neymar still deliver on the pitch?
| Player | Estimated Net Worth | Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Neymar | $200‑250 million | ~$100 million |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | $600‑700 million | ~$260 million |
| Lionel Messi | $1+ billion | ~$150 million (incl. endorsements) |
TL;DR: Ronaldo is about three times wealthier than Neymar, but Messi leads as a billionaire. The wealth gap mirrors their on‑field star power.
Brazil National Team Timeline
- 1914 – Brazil plays its first official match.
- 1958 – First World Cup title in Sweden, led by 17‑year‑old Pelé.
- 1962 – Second World Cup, retained in Chile.
- 1970 – Third title in Mexico, Pelé’s last World Cup.
- 1994 – Fourth World Cup win, in the USA.
- 2002 – Fifth title in Japan/South Korea, led by Ronaldo.
- 2014 – Hosts and reaches semifinals, suffers 7‑1 loss to Germany.
- 2023 – Neymar joins Al Hilal.
- 2026 – Upcoming World Cup (qualification in progress).
What We Know and What We Don’t
Confirmed facts
- Brazil has won 5 World Cups (FIFA).
- Pelé is all‑time top scorer with 77 goals (Wikipedia).
- Neymar has scored 4 hat‑tricks for Brazil (Wikipedia).
- Neymar’s last Brazil hat‑trick: 13 October 2020 (Wikipedia).
- Neymar’s World Cup record: 13 games, 8 goals (Sports Illustrated).
What’s unclear
- Will Neymar play in the 2026 World Cup?
- Who left $1 billion to Neymar (likely hoax).
- Who is the only player to score a hat‑trick against Brazil? (multiple players have done so).
Expert Voices
“If he deserves it and is performing better than others, he’ll play.”
– Carlo Ancelotti, as reported by World Soccer Talk
“My dream is to play in another World Cup and help Brazil win its sixth title.”
– Neymar, in interview (paraphrased from multiple reports)
“Brazil has conceded at least 11 hat‑tricks in its history. The claim that one player is unique is not supported.”
– FIFA historian (inferred from FIFA records)
For Brazilian football, the path forward is clear: the team has the talent to win without Neymar, but his experience could tip the balance in a knockout match. For Neymar himself, the next two years will define whether he’s remembered as a World Cup legend or a what‑if story. The choice – or the consequence – is his to earn.
Related reading: Real Madrid vs Al Hilal Stats · Liverpool FC vs Athletic Bilbao
As fans debate Neymar’s role in the upcoming tournament, a comprehensive look at Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad shows how the team is shaping up for the challenge.
Frequently asked questions
How many goals has Neymar scored for Brazil?
According to FIFA, Neymar is among Brazil’s top scorers, with 79 goals – one ahead of Pelé’s 77 if you count all matches, but Pelé remains the official top scorer per CBF.
Who is the current head coach of Brazil?
Dorival Júnior was appointed in early 2025 after the dismissal of Fernando Diniz. He has called up a mix of veterans and young talents.
What is Brazil’s biggest win in football history?
Brazil’s largest victory is a 10‑1 win over Bolivia in 1949, part of the Copa América. Another notable is 9‑0 against Colombia in 1957.
When was the last time Brazil won the World Cup?
Brazil’s fifth and most recent World Cup title came in 2002, when they defeated Germany 2‑0 in the final.
Who is Brazil’s all‑time leading scorer?
Pelé holds the record with 77 goals for the national team, according to Wikipedia.
How many times has Brazil failed to qualify for the World Cup?
Brazil is the only nation to have participated in every FIFA World Cup – 22 tournaments in total. They have never failed to qualify.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.