Brazilian forward Neymar is again missing from the Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru slated for October 2024.
Brazil coach Dorival Junior, however, called for Neymar to be given as much time as he needs to make a complete recovery from a knee injury that has sidelined him for almost a year.
Neymar ruptured his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty in October 2023.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star had surgery and eventually returned to training in July but the 32-year-old forward is yet to make his comeback, with Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus this week saying he was not yet ready.
Dorival said on Friday: “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.
“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 as other attacking options for the five-time world champions.
Neymar undergoes surgery for torn knee ligament
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.
See the Brazil squad below:
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr/), Ederson (Manchester City)
Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Abner (Lyon), Vanderson (Monaco), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Bremer (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris SG)
Midfielders: Andre (Wolves), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
Forwards: Endrick (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Raphinha (Barcelona)
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