Neymar is reportedly threatening to quit the Brazilian national team if Jorge Jesús is appointed as the new coach. The star forward has a history of conflict with the Portuguese manager, stemming from their time together at Al-Hilal. This ultimatum throws Brazil’s coaching search into turmoil.
Some stories, far from ending with the passage of time, seem to reopen at the most unexpected moments. Neymar, who recently returned to Santos after his controversial stint in Saudi soccer, has once again referred to Jorge Jesús, the Portuguese coach with whom he had differences at Al-Hilal. In a context where Brazil is looking for a new coach after the departure of Dorival Júnior, the possibility of Jesús taking over the Canarinha has sparked rumors and controversies.
When asked about it, Neymar preferred to stay out of it but made it clear that his relationship with the coach is far from the best. “I have nothing to do with this, I am a player. Don’t put me in this, I’m out,” the striker replied sharply in an interview with Charla Podcast during the awards ceremony of the Campeonato Paulista. His position, however, is not accidental. His time at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia was marked by disagreements with Jorge Jesús, who decided not to register him in the Saudi Pro League, arguing that he was not in physical condition to compete.
Some time later, Neymar denied Jesús. “I am ready to play. I had the training base, but I needed to play. Obviously, I was very annoyed by what Jorge Jesús said when he assured that I was not in the same conditions as the team. In training, I showed that I was indeed capable of playing, that I was in the same conditions as the others. Especially because when we formed a collective, I was the one who decided, I was the one who scored the goals,” Neymar said in dialogue with Cazé TV.
That tension was never resolved and ended with the Brazilian’s departure from the Saudi club. Jesús, for his part, praised the quality of the striker but did not fail to highlight the way in which his cycle ended. “He was the best player I have worked with since I have been a coach. He left sad. Mainly with me,” said the Portuguese.
Neymar threatens to quit Brazil National Team if Jesús is appointed
Now, with Brazil in full restructuring after the departure of Dorival Júnior, the name of Jorge Jesús has gained strength to take charge of the Verdeamarela. According to the blog of Diogo Dantas, the CBF has already advanced in an agreement with the coach, which set off alarms in Neymar’s environment. According to R7 Esportes, the striker would have communicated to the leaders of the Brazilian Football Confederation that, if Jorge Jesús is appointed as coach, he would definitively resign from the Selection.
Neymar’s influence within the national team remains significant. Although Brazil is practically qualified for the 2026 World Cup, the sports project needs stability and support from its figures. In this context, the position of the number 10 could be decisive in the final decision of the CBF. What will weigh more? The comfort of its star or the beginning of a new project?
