Brazil have recalled Santos ahead Neymar for this month’s World Cup qualifiers in opposition to Colombia and Argentina after greater than a 12 months, the soccer federation introduced on Thursday.
The 33-year-old sustained a knee harm in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier in opposition to Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get again to his finest and safe a spot within the squad.
After a disappointing spell at Saudi Pro League facet Al-Hilal, Neymar returned to his boyhood membership Santos in January, scoring three targets and offering three assists in seven matches which has caught the attention of Brazil coach Dorival Junior.
Asked how a lot sport time Neymar could be given within the World Cup qualifiers, Dorival informed reporters: “It’s a situation to be analysed. He’s already played 90 minutes in two matches for Santos.
“In a few of these video games, he was substituted within the remaining moments. (His minutes within the video games) will resolve the spell he is going to have now, the best way he is going to carry out right here. We’ll analyse how he is doing.”
Neymar has 128 caps and a record 79 goals for his country, surpassing Pele’s tally of 77.
He was part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and also helped them finish runners-up to Argentina at the 2021 Copa America.
Brazil, who are fifth in the CONMEBOL table with 18 points from 12 games, host Colombia on March 21 and visit Argentina five days later in a match that could see Neymar come up against former Barcelona and Paris St Germain teammate Lionel Messi.
The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup.
“We’re going to put together in the absolute best approach to face these opponents,” Dorival said.
“I’ve little question that these can be two nice video games, with groups which might be within the prime positions within the competitors. We have sufficient high quality to go for excellent outcomes.
“We’re very close to a breakthrough, and there’s a lot of confidence that this will happen. Everything will happen, we just have to be patient.”
BRAZIL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City)
Defenders: Danilo (Flamengo), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Wesley Franca (Flamengo), Vanderson (Monaco), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Midfielders: Andre (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Gerson (Flamengo), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Neymar (Santos), Joelinton (Newcastle United)
Forwards: Estevao (Palmeiras), Joao Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
Published – March 07, 2025 02:19 am IST
