Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches, Neymar has not pulled on the yellow jersey since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury.

The 33-year-old has played regularly for Sao Paulo side Santos since he returned to his first club following a fruitless spell in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal.

“He is a decisive player for the Brazilian Selecao. We don’t have another player like Neymar,” Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil twice, said during a publicity event in Sao Paulo alongside his compatriot.

“The people hope 100 per cent that he will go to the World Cup because if he is there, we will definitely have better results than if he’s not there,” added Ronaldo, 49, who scored 62 goals in 99 Brazil games.

He ruptured his cruciate ligament on international duty against Uruguay after joining Al Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain, having played just five times and scored one goal.

He was out of action for a year and would play only two more games for the Saudi side before leaving for Santos.

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After leaving Neymar out of his squad for World Cup qualifiers, Ancelotti said that he “needs to get in better shape to help the national team and to give the best of himself at the World Cup.”

“He is a decisive player for the Brazilian Selecao. We don’t have another player like Neymar,” Ronaldo, who twice won the World Cup with Brazil, said during a publicity event in Sao Paulo alongside his compatriot.

Neymar has been injury-plagued in the last few years and missed Brazil’s Copa America triumph on home soil.

Source: Punch

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Ronaldo has agreed to stay with the Saudi Pro League side for two more seasons.

The second year is optional and will depend on performance and preference.

This extension will keep the five-time Ballon d’Or winner in Riyadh through at least 2026.

The duration is perfectly timed to align with his ambitions of playing for Portugal at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

While negotiations had been ongoing for several months, and initial expectations pointed to a swift conclusion back in January, the official confirmation was delayed due to the unique nature of the deal.

Unlike a typical sports contract, this agreement will cover broader commercial, ambassadorial, and developmental roles, making the process more complex than usual.

It is believed Ronaldo’s new contract could be worth up to €200 million per year.

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Ronaldo had a chance to put Portugal ahead late in the first period of extra-time in a tense, goalless tie in Frankfurt.

The 39-year-old stepped up to take the spot-kick after a foul on Diogo Jota, but his effort was superbly saved by Jan Oblak.  After scoring his previous 29 penalties, Ronaldo was visibly stunned to see Oblak keep out his shot and held his head in disbelief.

Seconds later the whistle went for half-time in extra-time and that was the signal for Ronaldo to start openly weeping as he stood in a huddle of Portugal players.

Consoled by team-mate Joao Palhinha, Ronaldo was able to wipe away his tears and continue playing when the match resumed.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ronaldo regained his composure in time for the shoot-out and got a measure of revenge as he scored the opening kick to put Portugal on course for victory.

After aiming to Oblak’s left for his penalty during extra-time, he opted to go to the right in the shoot-out and squeezed his effort into the corner.

Holding up his hands to the Portugal supporters in a gesture of apology for his earlier miss, Ronaldo was clearly relieved as he walked back to join his team-mates on the halfway line.

Three penalty saves from Portugal keeper Diogo Costa ensured Ronaldo’s redemption was complete as Roberto Martinez’s side booked a blockbuster quarter-final meeting with France.

Portugal boss Roberto Martinez saluted Ronaldo’s refusal to let his meltdown ruin his focus in the shoot-out.

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Ronaldo is Portugal’s all-time top scorer with 130 goals in a record 208 international appearances and is playing at his sixth European Championship at the age of 39.

He moved to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia last year but is still a fixture in his national team despite no longer being the player he was, and Martinez said that he will play in Dortmund on Saturday.

Ronaldo played all of Portugal’s opening 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Leipzig but did not score, with Francisco Conceicao getting the decisive late goal.

He also scored seven times in seven appearances for Portugal between the season starting and the Euros beginning.

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