Neymar returns to Brazil for the first time since 2023
Neymar returns to the Brazil national team for the first time in 17 months after being called up by Dorival Junior.
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Neymar returns to Brazil national team
Brazil has missed the star forward since October 2023, when he tore his ACL and meniscus in his left knee during international duty.
The 33-year-old returned to his boyhood club, Santos, after an injury-riddled spell with Saudi-based Al-Hilal.
Neymar only had seven appearances in over 18 months with Al-Hilal.
So far, Neymar has scored three goals in his last four games for Santos as he aims to regain his best physical shape.
Neymar posted a photo on Instagram of himself watching Brazil coach Dorival Júnior’s squad announcement on television, captioned: “Happy to be back!”
“We were waiting for him to return”
Meanwhile, Dorival Junior expressed his excitement about Neymar’s return to the Brazil squad.
“There’s no need to talk about what Neymar represents,” the Brazil coach said.
“He is currently recovering his form, we understand and are aware of this. But we believe his abilities and qualities allow him to be in a condition to overcome any situation on the field. He is a player whose [Brazil] teammates themselves publicly expressed what he represents to the group.
“We were waiting for him to return, this is the first opportunity that we could have him [since recovering from injury].”
“I hope he is very happy when he returns. Let’s give him the confidence to develop to the best of his ability, let’s not create high expectations, let’s not place all the responsibility on his return.”
Brazil has struggled without Neymar, who played in the first four World Cup qualifiers.
They sit fifth in their qualifying group, seven points behind leaders Argentina after 12 games.
Dorival Junior’s side has won five and lost four of its qualifiers.
“We have to show consistency in these matches,” Dorival Junior said.
“It’s natural that we’re not satisfied at this point in qualifying but a lot can happen. In our last four games, I believe we’ve already shown a higher level than what we’ve shown before. I trust in the work that we’re all doing. I have no doubt that we’ll play great ‘clásico‘ games.”
