Real Madrid star Rodrygo has said Brazil need Neymar if they are to win a record six World Cups in 2026.

The 23-year-old, who scored in the first half on Friday to help Brazil beat Ecuador 1-0 and end a run of three straight defeats in CONMEBOL qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, said Neymar is the key to Brazil’s success.

“He is our star, our best player,” Rodrygo said in an exclusive ESPN Brasil interview. “Everyone can see how much he is missed. Neymar is healthy, we all want that, (and) he is in the final stages of his recovery. We want him back as soon as possible.”

Five-time world champion Brazil lost matches to Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina at the end of last year and were in sixth place in the standings after six rounds. With Friday’s win, Brazil now has 10 points and is in fourth place. On Tuesday they will play Paraguay in Asuncion.

Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in men’s soccer underwent surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in his left knee on November 2, 2023 in Brazil.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star, who moved from PSG to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal in the summer of 2023 for €90 million, was injured during Brazil’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay in October 2023.

He had previously been injured for a long time, including in his right ankle and foot, which caused him to miss six weeks in 2021 and Brazil’s victorious Copa América in 2019.

Rodrygo said he is still in touch with Neymar and considers him an idol.

“We always send each other messages. He’s back in training with the group now,” Rodrygo said. “He’s a great teammate. It makes me sad when I see someone talking bad about him, because of the person he is. He always sends me messages, helps me. I love him. Besides being my idol as a player, he’s shown me as a person that he’s a fantastic person.”

Rodrygo scored 10 goals in 34 La Liga games last season and scored five times in the Champions League.

His place at Real Madrid has come under pressure following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, although manager Carlo Ancelotti has still selected him as part of a three-man attacking line so far this season.

Paraguay held Uruguay to a 0-0 draw in Friday’s qualifying match.