Brazil head coach Dorival Júnior has announced the 23-man squad for the South American World Cup Qualifying double-fixture in September. As expected, Neymar remains an absentee on the national team, as he has yet to train with his Al Hilal teammates.
The winger is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee. Ney suffered this injury in October 2023, during Brazil’s loss to Uruguay in Montevideo in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
READ MORE
++ Is Neymar playing for Al Hilal in 2024-25 Saudi Pro League opener vs Al-Okhdood?
++ When does Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal expire?
++ How many games has Neymar played with Al Hilal?
During a press conference, Dorival Júnior spoke about Neymar’s importance for Brazil and addressed his potential return date.
“He is a very important, crucial, decisive player,” Dorival said. “A different player, as we all know. We have to respect the recovery protocol that he has been following up to now. He has not fully returned yet and is undergoing a program that will be crucial for his continuity.
“I have no doubt that once he recovers and is fit, he will be included again. His quality is undeniable, but everything has to happen at the right time. We are going to wait because he is completing his recovery process with his club,” he added.
Neymar continues training at Al Hilal as he nears his return to the field. Given this situation, it is expected that the winger could return to the national team for the October international break: Brazil will face Chile away on Oct. 10th and will host Peru five days later at the Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha in Brasília.
