Brazil coach Dorival Junior says he will bring Neymar back into the national team as long as the Al-Hilal attacker gets fit following his injury.
- Neymar out with ACL rupture
- Dorival asked about his return
- Star told he must get fit
WHAT HAPPENED?
Neymar has been out of action with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and required surgery last October. The 32-year-old initially hoped he would still have a chance of playing at the 2024 Copa America, but he was ruled out by the team doctor. The Selecao boss has now said Neymar will have to prove that he is fit and “focused” before he will be called up again.
WHAT DORIVAL SAID
Dorival said: “It is one of the main projects. Neymar is a very important player. He is well aware of that. He is one of the greatest players in world football. Our hope is that he recovers physically. He has a place [in the squad] for everything he has accomplished in the national team, but he needs to be confident, calm, balanced and, above all, focused. He will be part of the process as long as he is fully recovered.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Brazil will face England and Spain in international friendlies next month and will have to make do without star forward Neymar. They are also without Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro for those matches.
WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?
Neymar will continue his recovery at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who signed him from PSG in an £86m deal last summer. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has been accused of being overweight on his return to training with the club, and it is still not known when he will be ready to feature in a competitive setting again.