“With the names the Saudi league has today, maybe it’s better than France”

Brazilian star Neymar He said he was not fully fit this Thursday, but assured that that did not mean he would be out of Friday’s clash. BolivianIn the first scene Brazil South American qualifiers towards World Cup 2026.

“I’m not a hundred percent physically, but my head and body are fine,” the ’10’ said at a press conference in the Brazilian city of Belem (north), where ‘Celeção’ will receive the Bolivians.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been called up to the national team in that format. The same thing happened a few years ago, I played 90 minutes (…) There is no mystery in playing football no matter how long you stand. You always know how to play, it’s like riding a bicycle,” he added.

The 31-year-old attacker has yet to debut with his new team to–Hilal Saudi Arabia, he arrived in mid-August Paris Saint-Germain. His club’s coach, Portugal George JesusHe suffered a “slight injury” that put his availability with Brazil in question.

“I don’t know the words Founder of Christianity Bad, but a way to take care of your player. I was going to play the last game for the club (last Friday) but I got hit in training and he pulled me out of the game so I could come to the national team,” he explained.

– for Pele’s record –

If he plays against the Bolivians as planned, as seen in the five-time champions’ training sessions, Neymar could surpass the late Pele.Canarinha‘Male. Both are tied with 77 points.

“For everyone (in Brazil) Pele Unanimously, the king of football. Imagine beating someone then,” he said.

Ney has been called up for the games against Bolivia and Peru (Tuesday in Lima) after missing the three friendly matches played by the ‘Celezo’ this year after a setback at Qatar-2022. , they fell in the quarterfinals against Croatia.

The ’10’ is called by rookie Fernando Diniz, who combines the coaching position with Fluminense’s TD. As Tite’s replacement until Italian Carlo Ancelotti takes over Brazil in mid-2024, Dinis is renowned in South America for Carioca’s “aposional” football.

“Tinis does a completely different job than anything I’ve seen. It’s a different football, it has a very different mentality from the coaches I’ve had. Other coaches basically did the same things, Tini’s didn’t: he wants to reinvent football. He’s a very interesting man,” he said.

– Update –

Crack continued that Brazil is on the road to a renewal with several World Cup players and other youngsters saying his performance on the field will not change much with the new coach.

“This renewal is not going to happen overnight, we are going to play well in the way that Dennis wants. He has to be a little patient to make this work fruitful,” he said.

A millionaire asked about the status of the league Saudi ArabiaWho caught the eye with his recent world-class signings, Neymar He drew comparisons with the French competition he played in Between 2017 and 2023 PSG

“Among the names in the Saudi league at the moment, I don’t know if it’s better than the French championship,” he laughed. “A lot of people think the championship is unknown and weak. When I went to the French league, everyone said that was the place where I had suffered the most in my life.