Brazil’s national football team has announced its squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on November 14 and Uruguay on November 19, leaving out star players Neymar and Endrick.
Key Exclusions and Inclusions:
- Neymar (32): The renowned forward, who returned to play for Al Hilal on October 21 after a year-long knee injury, was excluded to ensure a gradual and safe return to international duty. Coach Dorival Junior stated, “We decided not to bring him so as not to rush things.” Neymar is expected to rejoin the team for the March 2025 qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.
- Endrick (18): The young Real Madrid forward, who has only played 107 minutes for the club and missed the last four games, was also left out of the squad due to limited playing time.
- Vinícius Jr (Real Madrid): The dynamic forward returns to the squad after recovering from a neck injury that caused him to miss the October qualifiers. His inclusion comes after a disappointing period where he missed out on the Ballon d’Or award.
- Raphinha (Barcelona): The talented winger, known for his outstanding performances this season, including goals against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, has been selected to lead the attack alongside Vinícius Jr.
- Estêvão Willian (Palmeiras): The promising 17-year-old striker, who has scored 11 league goals and is a top scorer in Brazil’s Serie A, has been included in the 23-man squad.
Team Performance and Goals:
Brazil currently sits fourth in South America’s World Cup qualifying table with 16 points, trailing leaders Argentina by six points. The team aims to secure a top-six finish to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff.
Coach Dorival Junior emphasized the team’s ongoing development, stating, “We are in a process of evolution, but it’s not ideal yet. We hope to find consistency in the upcoming games to improve our standing.”
Squad Overview:
- Goalkeepers: Bento (Al Nassr), Éderson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)
- Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco), Guilherme Arana (Atlético Mineiro), Abner (Lyon), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Murilo (Nottingham Forest)
- Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham United), Raphinha (Barcelona)
- Forwards: Estêvão (Palmeiras), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Savinho (Manchester City)
Upcoming Matches:
- November 14: Brazil vs. Venezuela
- November 19: Brazil vs. Uruguay
With Neymar and Endrick sidelined, Brazil relies on the return of Vinícius Jr and the stellar form of Raphinha to navigate the challenging qualifiers. The team’s focus remains on improving their position in the standings and securing their spot in the next World Cup.
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