Reborn At Santos, Neymar Earns Brazil Recall After Over A Year

The Brazilian football federation announced Thursday that Neymar Jr, Santos forward, will rejoin the national team for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after a year-long absence.

The 33-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best and secure a spot in the squad.

Neymar’s strong performance since returning to Santos in January, three goals and three assists in seven matches, has convinced Brazil coach, Dorival Junior to recall him for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, despite a disappointing stint at Al Hilal.

Asked how much game time Neymar would be given in the World Cup qualifiers, Dorival told reporters, “It’s a situation to be analyzed. He’s already played 90 minutes in two matches for Santos.

“In some of those games, he was substituted in the final moments. (His minutes in the games) will decide the spell he’s going to have now, the way he’s going to perform here. We’ll analyze how he’s doing.”

Neymar has 128 caps and a record 79 goals for his country, surpassing Pele’s tally of 77.

He was part of Brazil’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and also helped them finish runners-up to Argentina at the 2021 Copa America.

With 18 points from 12 games, Brazil currently sits fifth in the CONMEBOL standings. They will host Colombia on March 21st and then travel to face Argentina five days later in a game that could feature a reunion between Neymar and Lionel Messi.

The top six teams qualify directly for the World Cup.

“We’re going to prepare in the best possible way to face these opponents,” Dorival said.

“I have no doubt that these will be two great games, with teams that are in the top positions in the competition. We have enough quality to go for great results.

“We’re very close to a breakthrough, and there’s a lot of confidence that this will happen. Everything will happen, we just have to be patient.”

Full Brazil squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City)

Defenders: Danilo (Flamengo), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Wesley Franca (Flamengo), Vanderson (Monaco), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

Midfielders: Andre (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Gerson (Flamengo), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Neymar (Santos), Joelinton (Newcastle United)

Forwards: Estevao (Palmeiras), Joao Pedro (Brighton & Hove Albion), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)