Real Madrid players Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were not included in the squad
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil’s World Cup-winning superstar Neymar Jr. will not play in the next two qualifiers. The player was left out of the 25-man squad announced by coach Carlo Ancelotti. This is the second time since the Italian coach took charge that he has decided to leave Neymar out. Meanwhile, West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta, who was cleared of match-fixing allegations in July, has been recalled to the Ancelotti team.
Paqueta has already played five matches in the World Cup qualifying round. However, the player has not laced up his boots for the Canaries since Carlo took charge in May. Carlo said that more remains to be seen of the player’s performance. However, Carlo did not include Real Madrid players Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo in his squad. Carlo said that the players, including Neymar, need to regain full fitness ahead of next year’s World Cup.
“Everyone knows Neymar, the Brazilian team and the fans. Neymar and his teammates need great fitness. Only then can they perform well in the World Cup. There are two matches left in the qualifying round. We have to win these matches and finish them well,” Ancelotti said at a press conference yesterday. Brazil’s final two matches will be at home against Chile on September 4 and away against Bolivia on the 9th.
Neymar’s club Santos FC suffered a miserable defeat to Vasco da Gama (6-0) on August 17. Santos is now just two points ahead of the relegation process. This has caused great excitement among fans. Neymar, who was a key player for both Barcelona and PSG, has been plagued by injuries since joining Santos in January. Neymar was left out of the previously announced squad due to a thigh injury in April. The player was unable to train last Thursday due to a muscle strain. Brazil has been without their superstar since injuring the ACL and meniscus in his left knee in October 2023.
Meanwhile, senior player Casemiro has been included in Ancelotti’s squad. Estevez, who was man of the match after a good performance for Chelsea last Friday, has also been called up.
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