Brazilian head coach Dorival Junior has made a decisive call, excluding Al Hilal’s star forward Neymar and Real Madrid’s promising talent Endrick from his lineup for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay. The decision comes as both players face fitness and game-time challenges that impacted their selection.
Endrick, despite his potential and growing reputation, has played only 107 minutes this season for Real Madrid and has not featured in any of their last four matches. This limited action raised concerns about his match readiness for high-stakes international fixtures.
Neymar’s situation, however, centers around his recovery journey. The prolific forward made his long-awaited return to the field with Al Hilal on October 21 after spending a year sidelined due to a severe knee injury sustained on October 17, 2023, during Brazil’s match. Despite rejoining action, his limited minutes played influenced the coach’s judgment.
“We decided not to bring him so as not to rush things,” Dorival Junior stated during a press briefing on Friday. “He’s practically fully recovered, but he only had a few minutes, which weighed heavily on the decision.”
The exclusion of Neymar, who has been a linchpin for Brazil’s attacking prowess, signals a cautious approach by Dorival Junior to safeguard his star player’s long-term fitness. Fans will watch closely to see how Brazil fares without their seasoned playmaker as they face crucial qualifying matches. The strategic move hints at the manager’s intention to build a squad that prioritizes readiness and full fitness, essential for sustaining the rigor of World Cup qualification campaigns.
