Brazil coach Dorival Junior has urged for patience regarding Neymar’s recovery from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly a year.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star suffered a ruptured meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Brazil in October of last year. Neymar underwent surgery and returned to training in July, but at 32, he has yet to make his on-field comeback. Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus recently confirmed that Neymar is still not fully fit to return.
Neymar has been left out of Brazil’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru in October. Coach Dorival emphasized the need for patience in Neymar’s recovery process.
“We all know how crucial Neymar is to the team… We are waiting for him, but we need to be patient. It doesn’t matter if he returns in October, November, or even February,” Dorival said on Friday. “He must feel confident and be fully recovered.”
Dorival has recalled Barcelona winger Raphinha and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli for the qualifiers, along with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Endrick as key attacking options.
Brazil, five-time world champions, have struggled in the qualifiers, with just 10 points from eight matches. They have lost four of their last five games, currently sitting in fifth place, just one point ahead of Paraguay, who hold the playoff spot.
The Selecao will face Chile in Santiago on October 10, followed by a home game against Peru on October 15 in Brasilia.
Brazil Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Al Nassr/KSA), Ederson (Manchester City/ENG)
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus/ITA), Abner (Lyon/FRA), Vanderson (Monaco/FRA), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Bremer (Juventus/ITA), Eder Militao (Real Madrid/ESP), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal/ENG), Marquinhos (Paris SG/FRA)
Midfielders: Andre (Wolves/ENG), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle/ENG), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham/ENG)
Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid/ESP), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Rodrygo (Real Madrid/ESP), Savinho (Manchester City/ENG), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid/ESP), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP).