Neymar, the 33-year-old Brazilian football star, has been recalled to the national team for the first time in almost 18 months, marking a remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury.
The injury, sustained in a match against Uruguay in October 2023, sidelined him and disrupted his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, where he only managed seven appearances.
Following a return to his boyhood club Santos in January, Neymar has quickly rediscovered his form, contributing to six goals in seven games.
This impressive return has earned him a place in Brazil’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Neymar shared his excitement on Instagram, posting a photo of himself watching the squad announcement and captioning it, “Glad to be back!”
His return has been met with enthusiasm, but national team boss Dorival Junior has urged caution, emphasizing the need to avoid placing excessive pressure on the star as he regains full fitness.
“There’s no need to talk about what Neymar represents,” Junior stated. “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.”
Junior also highlighted the support Neymar receives from his teammates, acknowledging his importance to the team.
Brazil faces crucial World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina later this month, and Neymar’s return is expected to boost their chances as they currently sit fifth in the qualifying group.
