"10-year difference between the two" - Pundit claims retired Kaka is fitter than Neymar Jr after Brazil's FIFA World Cup draw against Morocco

× Football commentator and pundit Jon Cotterill has raised concerns about Neymar Jr's fitness following Brazil's 1-1 draw against Morocco in their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash on June 13. Cotterill questioned Ancelotti's decision to select the Santos ace in his World Cup squad, claiming that even Selecao legend Kaka is currently fitter despite retiring in 2017 at the age of 35. Ad Neymar has suffered multiple injuries in recent years, last representing the Brazil national team in October 2023.

Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti made the bold decision to include the former in his final squad for the FIFA World Cup, highlighting the importance of the 34-year-old's technical qualities and experience. Unfortunately for the Selecao, Neymar has been sidelined with a grade-two calf injury since May 18. As a result, he missed his nation's FIFA World Cup opener against Morocco, in which both sides played out a thrilling 1-1 draw.

The former Barcelona superstar is expected to rejoin team training this week ahead of their next fixture against Haiti (June 19). Ad Trending However, Cotterill told The S* Word from talkSPORT: "It's been a massive distraction; it's been a no-win situation for Ancelotti. Because I think if he picked him, he was going to get it in the neck.

If he didn't, then perhaps it would have been worse. The guy's not fit, he's not been fit all year.. not all year, he's not been fit for two or three years.

The last time he played for Brazil was in October 2023, so it's been three years." Ad He added: "They're talking about maybe.. he's going to be training with the squad this week, maybe, in time for the Haiti game on Friday night, but the pace of that match - Neymar's got no chance.

We saw Kaka in the stands, and I saw Kaka and Neymar together at the Kings League just a few months ago - Kaka looked a lot fitter than Neymar did and there's a 10-year difference between the two players." Ad The S* Word from talkSPORT @talkSPORTSWordBrazil football expert Jon Cotterill claims a retired Kaka is fitter than Neymar 🤕 @kalshi @kalshisports @FOXSoccer #fifaworldcup Ad Neymar has suffered an ACL injury and multiple hamstring issues since the start of 2023, missing a total of 143 appearances across all competitions for club and country due to injury. "I think he’ll be very very important" - Brazil icon Kaka provides verdict on Neymar Jr ahead of FIFA World Cup Brazil legend Kaka recently admitted that he was pleased to see Neymar being included in Carlo Ancelotti's final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The former has tipped the 34-year-old to be important for the Selecao if he is able to get himself into good shape. Ad Kaka, who played alongside Neymar between 2010 and 2016, told Rio Ferdinand (via Yahoo Sports): "I love Neymar. We played together in the national team.

We are friends. So I like him too much. So it’s really hard for me to speak something bad about him.

If he’s ready, if he’s in good shape, physical condition is good, I think he’ll be very very important for Brazil. So I wish we can see Neymar play more years in good condition because it’s really nice to see him play."Brazil will be depending on Neymar to recover in time to make an impact in his fourth FIFA World Cup.

He is currently the Selecao's highest goalscorer of all time, recording 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances across all competitions. × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Silas Sud Football commentator and pundit Jon Cotterill has raised concerns about Neymar Jr's fitness following Brazil's 1-1 draw against Morocco in their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash on June 13.

Cotterill questioned Ancelotti's decision to select the Santos ace in his World Cup squad, claiming that even Selecao legend Kaka is currently fitter despite retiring in 2017 at the age of 35. Ad Neymar has suffered multiple injuries in recent years, last representing the Brazil national team in October 2023. Despite this, Carlo Ancelotti made the bold decision to include the former in his final squad for the FIFA World Cup, highlighting the importance of the 34-year-old's technical qualities and experience.

Unfortunately for the Selecao, Neymar has been sidelined with a grade-two calf injury since May 18. As a result, he missed his nation's FIFA World Cup opener against Morocco, in which both sides played out a thrilling 1-1 draw. The former Barcelona superstar is expected to rejoin team training this week ahead of their next fixture against Haiti (June 19).

Ad Trending However, Cotterill told The S* Word from talkSPORT: "It's been a massive distraction; it's been a no-win situation for Ancelotti. Because I think if he picked him, he was going to get it in the neck. If he didn't, then perhaps it would have been worse.

The guy's not fit, he's not been fit all year.. not all year, he's not been fit for two or three years. The last time he played for Brazil was in October 2023, so it's been three years."

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