RIO DE JANEIRO — Neymar, the former captain of Brazil’s national soccer team, makes a return to the squad after nearly 18 months of absence. The announcement came from Brazil’s coach, Dorival Junior, on Thursday. Neymar, now 33, is set to participate in crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia and Argentina scheduled for later this month.
The seasoned striker is back on the field following an ACL injury he sustained in October 2023. Neymar had moved from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in January and has since joined his boyhood club, Santos, on a six-month contract. His recent appearances in the domestic league with Santos have been promising, with him playing full 90-minute matches.
Brazil is currently positioned fifth in the South American qualifying group. The team is preparing to host Colombia on March 20, before they face the group leader, Argentina, on March 25, at the iconic Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Coach Júnior expressed cautious optimism about Neymar’s readiness, stating, “He played two matches at Santos for 90 minutes. He has also been spared in the last minutes of some matches. Let’s see how he performs in the run up to our matches.”
The roster for Brazil includes a strong lineup across all positions. The goalkeepers named are Alisson from Liverpool, Bento from Al-Nassr, and Ederson from Manchester City. In defense, players such as Vanderson from Monaco and Gabriel Magalhães from Arsenal are enlisted. The midfield will be bolstered with the talents of players like André from Wolverhampton and Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle.
The forward positions feature exciting talents, including Estêvão from Palmeiras and dynamic duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Júnior from Real Madrid. With Neymar returning to the field, Brazil is hopeful for a strong showing in the upcoming qualifiers.
