Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has expressed strong optimism about the Selecao's prospects in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, pinpointing the imminent return of star forward Neymar from injury as a key catalyst for improvement.
Carlos believes that Neymar's reintegration into the squad will significantly elevate Brazil's overall performance. He anticipates that with Neymar back on the pitch, the team will be capable of mounting a serious challenge for a place in the World Cup final, a feat that has eluded them in recent tournaments.
While acknowledging that Brazil has not yet reached its full potential, Carlos emphasized that this is a common trajectory for teams heading into World Cup campaigns. He highlighted the gradual nature of improvement that often characterizes successful runs in the prestigious tournament, suggesting that the Selecao are on the right track.
The former left-back also pointed to several individual strengths within the current Brazilian squad. He specifically lauded the solid defensive partnership between Marquinhos and Gabriel, and praised the scintillating form of Vinicius Junior. Furthermore, Carlos expressed excitement about the emergence of promising young talents such as Endrick and Matheus Cunha, who he believes will contribute significantly.
Despite his optimism, Carlos offered a realistic assessment of the current landscape. He conceded that Argentina, under the continued guidance of Lionel Messi and benefiting from the stability of their coaching staff, currently possesses an advantage over Brazil. Carlos stressed that Brazil will need to make substantial improvements to overcome the reigning world champions.
He further revealed that several iconic Brazilian players, including Cafu, Ronaldo Nazário, and Kaká, are actively lending their support and expertise to the coaching project led by Carlo Ancelotti. Their involvement aims to nurture the young squad and guide them towards securing a major title, ultimately ending Brazil's 24-year wait for a sixth World Cup trophy.
