We Know How Important Neymar Jr Is – Says Brazil Coach Dorival

Coach Dorival Jr said on Friday that he would wait until Neymar is fully fit to bring him back into the Brazil squad as he announced the roster for October’s South American qualifiers.

The Al Hilal forward, who has been sidelined since last year and missed the Copa America, underwent surgery due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.

“We’ll wait; we’ll be patient; it doesn’t matter if he can’t come back in October, November, or even February. He needs to be confident, he needs to play, and above all, he needs to be completely healed from this injury,” Dorival told a news conference.

“We are starting to realize how important he is. If he returns in the coming years, we will have one of the greatest players in world football at a remarkable moment in his career and our national team,” he added.

Brazil currently sits fifth in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Striker Igor Jesus and center-backs Abner and Vanderson have been added to Dorival’s squad as he aims to get the five-time world champions back on track ahead of their match against Chile on October 10th, followed by a home game against Peru five days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Bento, Ederson

Defenders: Danilo, Vanderson, Abner, Guilherme Arana, Bremer, Eder Militao, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos

Midfielders: Andre, Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Rodrygo, Lucas Paqueta

Forwards: Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Igor Jesus, Luiz Henrique, Raphinha, Savinho, Vinicius Jr