Neymar's performance for Santos Futebol Clube in the Copa Sudamericana has drawn sharp criticism from former Brazil international Walter Casagrande, who questioned the forward's intensity. The statements, made on April 30, 2026, cast doubt on Neymar's future in elite football and his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Casagrande asserted that Neymar no longer possesses the intensity required to compete at the highest level of world football. He suggested that the Santos FC player "doesn't deserve" a World Cup spot, contrasting his display with a Champions League game like the thrilling clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

In his analysis for UOL News Esporte, Casagrande vividly described how Neymar would fare in a high-intensity match. "Take Neymar, this one who played against San Lorenzo, take this Neymar and throw him into the middle of the pitch for PSG and Bayern Munich. How do you see him on the pitch? He would be like a headless chicken, looking here and there – he wouldn't get the ball," the former forward stated.

Casagrande's criticism highlights the massive gulf between Neymar's current physical state and the elite standards of European football. According to him, there is no way to look at it and say that Neymar is capable of playing in the 2026 World Cup, given his recent performance and lack of demonstrated intensity.

Neymar’s hopes of leading Brazil into the 2026 World Cup have been seriously questioned following his disappointing display for O Peixe against San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana. This match served as the catalyst for Casagrande's harsh assessment of the player's current condition.

Walter Casagrande's blunt opinion on Neymar, following his outing for Santos Futebol Clube, marks a critical juncture in the forward's career, raising significant questions about his ability to return to the pinnacle of international football.