(Photo credit: REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes/File Photo)

Count Argentina and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi among those who thinks that Neymar should compete for his native Brazil in the upcoming World Cup.

Messi, who played with Neymar for four seasons at Barcelona and another two at Paris Saint-Germain before both moved on in 2023, admitted he does not consider himself objective about the 34-year-old player he calls a friend.

'We want the best players to be there (at the World Cup) and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,' Messi told Pollo Alvarez on his Lo del Pollo show.

Argentina and Brazil might be South American rivals, but this goes beyond rivalries for Messi.

'It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football. I hope he can be there, but I can't be objective, because he always has to be there,' Messi told Alvarez.

'Obviously, I'd love for him to be at the World Cup, for good things to happen to him because he deserves it for the kind of person he is. And I hope he can be there.'

Currently under contract at his boyhood club Santos, the captain of the club in Brazil's Serie A has been limited to eight matches in 2026 due to a knee injury that warranted minor knee surgery in late December and another knee procedure in March. He has three goals and two assists this season.

'He has a very special charisma,' Messi said. 'He doesn't put on an act, he lives his life as it is, according to what he feels without worrying about the repercussions. He lives his life, he's happy, and he's very natural.'

Neymar has rejoined Santos, where he began his professional career from 2009-13.

An ankle injury slowed Neymar before his departure from Paris Saint-Germain. At Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended a brief stay.

A fixture on the Brazil national team starting in 2013, Neymar hasn't played for his country since 2023 due to injuries and issues with form. He has played in the World Cup three times with his national team.

--Field Level Media