Neymar: 'I love him very much' as he keeps talking with Messi

Neymar opened up on his long-standing friendship with Lionel Messi after returning to the international stage with Brazil. The Santos forward made a cameo in Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland, marking his first competitive minutes for the Selecao in nearly three years when he entered in the 76th minute in Miami.

The 34-year-old had been frozen out of international football since October 2023 after a knee ligament tear suffered against Uruguay. A restrictive right calf issue further delayed his first appearance at the 2026 World Cup, so the second-half cameo was a deeply emotional milestone.

Speaking to DSports after the final whistle, Neymar focused on Messi as he celebrated his friend’s 39th birthday. “We talk a lot, and we’ve been talking these past few days as well,” Neymar said. “He knows I love him very much.” He added that “Leo is an even better person off the field,” and thanked the Argentine public for their affection.

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