Brazil announce squad for March international break; Neymar returns

The Selecao will face Argentina and Colombia in the qualifiers.

The Brazil football federation said today that they have called up Neymar for the March’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia. After more than a year, the Santos forward was included in the national team.

In October 2023, during Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay, the 33-year-old suffered a knee injury and found it very difficult to recover.

In January, following a dismal stint with Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, Neymar rejoined his childhood team, Santos. In seven games, he recorded three goals and three assists, attracting the attention of Brazil coach Dorival Junior to name him in the team.

Pele’s record of 77 goals for his nation has long been surpassed by Neymar’s record of 79 goals and 128 caps. The latter played for Brazil, who won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and finished as runners-up in the Copa America in 2021.

Estevao, a 17-year-old attacker who will join Chelsea from Palmeiras next year, received his first call-up to the Brazilian national team today.

Brazil will host Colombia on March 21 and travel to Argentina five days later. With 18 points from 12 games, they are now ranked sixth in the CONMEBOL standings. The World Cup is immediately accessible to the top six.

The Selecao have just over a year to improve their form as they are still on track to qualify for the event despite their recent poor play.

The Brazilian national squad has indeed suffered greatly since their heartbreaking 2022 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia on penalties. They missed their chance to play Argentina in what could have been a historic World Cup semi-final.

Brazil announce their official squad for the March international break

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr, Ederson (Manchester City),

Defenders: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (PSG), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Wesley (Flamengo), Vanderson (Monaco), Leo Ortiz (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Arana (Atlético-MG)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), André (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Santos), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Joelinton (Newcastle)

Forwards:  Savinho (Manchester City), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), João Pedro (Brighton), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Estevao (Palmeiras)

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