Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Neymar will be remembered as great but could have done more
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave his view on Neymar’s legacy after Brazil’s 2-1 loss to Norway in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Neymar came on as a substitute, scored a late penalty in stoppage time but could not prevent the Scandinavian side from advancing. The comment matters because Neymar finishes his international career as Brazil’s second‑most capped player with 130 appearances and the nation’s all‑time top scorer with 80 goals, surpassing legends such as Pele, Ronaldo Nazario and Romario. Ibrahimovic said Neymar will be remembered as a great footballer who excelled at Barcelona and PSG, but many feel he could have done more, especially winning a Ballon d’Or or a major trophy with the Selecao. So what should you take from this? Think about how you weigh a player’s legacy—club trophies, individual awards, or success with the national team. Does Neymar’s impressive club record outweigh the absence of a World Cup or Copa America triumph? Reflect on what legacy means for football stars from football‑mad nations and whether international glory is essential to greatness.