Neymar Set to Return for Brazil Against Colombia: Brazilian Press Confirms Decision

Neymar is set to make his triumphant return with Brazil against Colombia. This news was confirmed on Wednesday, October 30, by major media outlets in Brazil.

Although the star has already accumulated some minutes back with Al-Hilal following the serious knee injury he sustained in 2023, he is not expected to be included in Dorival Júnior’s squad for the November matches against Venezuela and Uruguay.

Within the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), there is a belief that it is premature to demand his maximum performance in the South American qualifiers, and they are planning his return for March of next year.

Brazil managed to stabilize in the standings after victories against Chile and Peru in October, allowing for such decisions to be made calmly without risking the fitness of their current star.

“With the perspective that a call-up at this moment would represent a shorter preliminary squad, a consensus was reached among all parties involved that March, against leaders Argentina and Colombia, is the ideal time for his return,” reported Globo Esporte.

Dorival hopes these upcoming months will assist Neymar in regaining match rhythm and arriving in peak condition for two high-stakes matches against the two finalists from the last Copa América.

Colombia faced Brazil in that tournament, resulting in a 1-1 draw, with the Tricolor advancing to the quarter-finals as group leaders.

Vinícius Jr took Neymar’s place in that match, but Daniel Muñoz performed almost flawlessly to neutralize him.

Neymar has special matches against the Tricolor since the severe injury he suffered in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The knee strike from Camilo Zúñiga has stayed etched in his mind, leading to frequent verbal exchanges and pushes with players like Juan Guillermo Cuadrado and Yerry Mina.

In the current South American qualifiers, the Colombian national team defeated the Canarinha in Barranquilla (2-1), and the feeling of revenge continues to simmer among the Brazilians since last November.

Neymar’s last match with the verdeamarela was on October 17, 2023, the day he suffered the serious injury that kept him out of action for an entire year.

The former Barcelona player confessed how hard it was to face such an extended period of recovery and the therapies he underwent to regain his form without complications.

“What I love most in life is playing football. I suffer every day I cannot do it. This is what hurts me the most,” he said days before returning to the pitch with Al-Hilal. “This is what hurts me the most… but my focus is here.

The most important people in my life, my friends, my family, and football. I rise every time I get injured. But I don’t come back half-heartedly,” he added.

One year and three days after the terrible injury he suffered in Montevideo during the qualifiers, Neymar returned to the pitch with Al-Hilal and played a few minutes in the victory against Al-Ain in the Asian Champions League.

The much-awaited return to action occurred around the 76th minute. The star, who emerged from the Santos youth academy, came on for Nasser Al-Dawsari, who embraced him on behalf of all his teammates and also the Brazilian national team, which eagerly awaits the return of its natural leader to put behind the tough times they have faced over the past year.

Neymar came close to crowning his celebration night with a goal reminiscent of the one he scored in the 2015 Champions League final; however, this time, keeper Khalid Eisa denied him his celebration with a spectacular save that is making headlines worldwide.