Dorival Junior, the coach of Brazil, demanded that Neymar be allowed as much time as necessary to fully recuperate from the knee injury that has kept him out of action for nearly a year.
While on international duty in October of last year, the former star of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain tore his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament.
The 32-year-old Neymar underwent surgery and eventually resumed training in July, but he has not yet made a return; this week, Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus stated that Neymar is not yet fit.
The attacker is not included in Brazil’s team for their 2026 World Cup qualifying matchups against Peru and Chile 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 recalled Barcelona winger Raphinha and Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli, with Real Madrid trio Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick other attacking options for the five-time world champions.
Brazil have only 10 points from eight qualifiers after losing four of their past five matches, leaving them fifth and just one point above Paraguay, who occupy the play-off spot.
The Selecao face Chile in Santiago on October 10 before a home qualifier against Peru five days later in Brasilia.
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)
