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Venezuelan news portal El Sumario has reported that Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. has donated US$250,000 to aid relief efforts for victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela. The report (via Liberta Depre<\/a>) said the money will go to humanitarian needs such as food, clean water, basic medicines, and temporary shelter for displaced families.<\/p>\n The move is a response to an unimaginable tragedy that has shaken the South American nation to its core. Two strong earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck northwest and central Venezuela on June 24, a few moments apart. The two powerful quakes toppled buildings in Caracas and surrounding states, killing at least 1,450 people and injuring some 3,150.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/template><\/p>\n There is massive destruction, and rescue teams are still sifting through the rubble days after the disaster. Several footballers have revealed that wives, children, or family members were among the victims killed in the earthquakes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/template><\/p>\n Neymar has only just re-established himself in the Brazil fold after years away. The former Barcelona forward is back, having missed out on the Selecao since a World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay<\/a> in October 2023. That absent spell was caused by a torn ACL and a constant stream of fitness issues that repeatedly sabotaged his return.<\/p>\n He was cast into renewed doubt about his participation at the 2026 World Cup before the tournament kicked off. The winger, Brazil’s record 79-goal scorer, suffered a grade two muscle tear playing for Santos against Coritiba<\/a>, the day before he was named in the squad by Carlo Ancelotti.<\/p>\n The calf problem kept him out of Brazil\u2019s opening fixtures, a 1-1 draw with Morocco<\/a> and a 3-0 win over Haiti. Neymar, introduced with 15 minutes to play against Scotland, donned the canary-yellow shirt for the first time since 2023 as Brazil strolled to a 3-0 victory.<\/p>\n Ancelotti spoke on in a press conference about Neymar\u2019s progress, but made it clear a starting role against Japan was far from guaranteed. The Italian tactician revealed (via OneFootball<\/a>):<\/p>\n “Neymar is progressing very well (…) It\u2019s a shame that he couldn\u2019t train the whole time he was with us. Obviously, he can play more than 15 minutes. It depends a lot on the context of tomorrow\u2019s game (Monday).”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Interestingly, Japan are the winger’s favorite opponents as a Brazil player, the playmaker having scored nine goals in five meetings with the Samurai Blue. Group C winners Brazil will face the runners-up of Group F, Japan. The winner of the Round of 32 clash will advance to a last-16 tie against the winner of the clash between the Ivory Coast and Norway<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Neymar\u2019s World Cup so far, as Brazil prepare to face Japan<\/h2>\n