Brazil coach wants Neymar to be fully recovered before returning to national team

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.

In Short

• Brazil coach Dorival Junior wants Neymar to be fully recovered
• Neymar remains a crucial figure for the Brazilian football team
• Brazil are set to face Chile and Peru in crucial qualifying matches

Brazilian national team coach Dorival Jºnior has emphasized the need for patience as Neymar continues his recovery from a serious knee injury. Neymar, who has been sidelined since October of last year, remains absent from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru in October.

Dorival has openly acknowledged that Neymar's return might be delayed until 2025, highlighting that both he and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) are willing to wait until the forward is fully fit. The 31-year-old Al-Hilal star suffered a significant injury to his left knee and has been absent from competitive football for nearly a year.

“We are realizing how important this player is," said Dorival. "In the coming years, once he returns, we can enjoy one of the great players in world football at a significant moment in his career and for our national team. We will wait; we have patience."

While the CBF is closely monitoring Neymar’s rehabilitation, Dorival underlined that any timeline for the player's return will be determined by his club, Al-Hilal. Neymar’s coach in Saudi Arabia, Jorge Jesus, has stated that he will assess Neymar’s situation in January, although the player is expected to make his return to action in the AFC Champions League.

The CBF has plans to send representatives to Saudi Arabia to observe Neymar’s progress in person. Rodrigo Caetano, the general coordinator of the men’s national teams at the CBF, reiterated that Neymar’s recovery is being treated with utmost care and respect, particularly given the serious nature of his injury.

“Neymar's case is treated differently due to his injury, in addition to being the extraordinary player he is," said Caetano. "The information we have indicates he is recovering at a good pace, but we cannot go beyond that. The decision to use him or not lies with the club. We intend to observe the final phase of his recovery, potentially in October or November."

Despite his extended absence, Neymar remains a crucial figure for Brazil, and his eventual return will be pivotal as the team looks ahead to future competitions. For now, Dorival and the CBF are focused on ensuring that the player returns in peak condition, whenever that may be.

Brazil Squad for October FIFA Qualifiers:

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.

Brazil is set to face Chile and Peru in crucial qualifying matches, with hopes high as they continue their campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.