The 'Star Boy' of Brazillian football returned home after more than a decade stay in Europe and Asia. Neymar's move to Asia was spoilt by injuries
The ‘Star Boy’ of Brazillian football returned home after more than a decade stay in Europe and Asia.
Neymar’s move to Asia was spoilt by injuries once again as the story has been in his career recently. He has been fully fit and now dazzling in his native Brazil for Santos.
After 17 good months absence from national duty, Neymar Jnr, the Santos forward has been given a call-up by the Brazillian head coach Dorival Jnr for March’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
Brazil missed Neymar’s leadership and experience in their lacklustre 2024 Copa America where they looked so horrible in the attack and in terms of organisation on the field of play.
It is 17 months now since Neymar Junior put on his favourite yellow jersey of the Selecao.
Liverpool’s Alison Berker and Manchester City’s Ederson were called up in the goalkeeping department.
The biggest news at the defence is the call-up of veteran defender Danilo. The Flamingo right back cum centre back who had a great career at Juventus in Italy was called to the squad. PSG skipper Marquinhos, Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Nottingham Forest’st Murillo are part of Dorival’s squad.
In the middle, Santos skipper Neymar and the EPL quartet of Andre, Bruno Guimares, Matheus Cunha and Joelinton were selected.
In form Laliga trio Raphinha, Vini Jnr and Rodrygo Goes lead the attack alongside youngster Willian Estevao of Chelsea/Palmeiras.
10 players from England headline the squad as 7 from the Brazilian domestic league were included, with four from Flamingo.
Check out the full list
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)
Head Coach: Dorival Junior
COMMENTS