Brazil's head coach urges fans to be patient about Neymar's recovery from injury: 'It doesn't matter if he doesn't return in...'

Sept. 28, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

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Brazil's coach, Dorival Junior, has emphasized the importance of giving Neymar ample time to fully recover from his knee injury. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star sustained a meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament tear during international duty last October, keeping him sidelined for nearly a year.

Neymar underwent surgery and returned to training in July, but the 32-year-old star has yet to make his comeback. Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus stated this week that Neymar is still not ready to play.

Advertisement Neymar is again absent from the Brazil squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru next month.

“We know how important he is… We’re waiting for him, we need to be patient. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t return in October, November or just in February,” Dorival said on Friday.

“He has to be confident and fully recovered.”

Dorival has called up Barcelona winger Raphinha and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli. Real Madrid trio Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick provide further attacking options for the five-time world champions.

Brazil's World Cup qualification hopes are hanging by a thread, as they have only managed 10 points from eight matches, losing four of their last five. This leaves them in fifth place, just one point ahead of Paraguay, who are currently holding the play-off spot.

The Brazilian national team will face Chile in Santiago on October 10, followed by a home qualifier against Peru in Brasilia five days later.

Squad:

The goalkeeping positions are filled by Alisson of Liverpool, Bento of Al Nassr, and Ederson of Manchester City.

Brazil's defensive lineup includes Danilo from Juventus, Abner from Lyon, Vanderson from Monaco, Guilherme Arana from Atletico Mineiro, Bremer from Juventus, Eder Militao from Real Madrid, Gabriel Magalhaes from Arsenal, and Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain.

The midfield consists of Andre from Wolves, Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, Gerson from Flamengo, and Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.

Leading the attack are Endrick from Real Madrid, Luiz Henrique from Botafogo, Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Savinho from Manchester City, Vinicius Jr from Real Madrid, Igor Jesus from Botafogo, Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, and Raphinha from Barcelona.

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