This injury comes as another hurdle that has once again caused Neymar to be excluded from Brazil for World Cup qualifiers due to an injury that has also called forth rehabilitation from an October 2023 devastating overtime ACL and meniscus tear. At the time when the 32-year-old was trying to recover from a harrowing: October 2023 ACL and meniscus tear, this injury came first.

On Friday, the Brazilian Football Confederation-CBF declared Neymar was set to miss the vital matches against Colombia and Argentina later this month, leaving coach Dorival Jr. to make last-minute changes to the squad. With regard to total quality of play along with all the other dynamics, Neymar’s removal is very bitter for Brazil, who need their finest player for both the national squad and club teams.

The Prolonged Journey of Recovery For Neymar

Neymar has had injury problems in recent times, but one can speculate hopes due to his signing with his boyhood club Santos in the January transfer window and subsequent participation again with the national squad. But, of course, this whole buzz evaporated in thin air, with Neymar’s sustenance of yet another muscular injury while having a foreign duty assignment, proving his participation for Santos on March 2 during a rather trivial victory over Bragantino.

Another sad scenario for Neymar and Brazil, who have been missing the services of their talismanic playmaker since his serious knee injury in 2023. His creative presence and leadership were a tremendous asset to the national team, but now that absence is a big gap lying in Brazil’s frontline.

Neymar’s woes are being further compounded by several injuries in his career, ranging from different metatarsal fractures to hamstrings, thus questioning his durability. One can, however, never question his immense technical flair; the only question is whether his body can now take the hammering associated with the unforgiving world of football. His return to Santos was seen as a chance for him to regain his form and fitness away from the unforgiving eye of European football; however, this latest blow clouds his route back into the international limelight.

Changes to the Brazil Squad

Adjustments were thus made to the Brazil squad by the coaching staff in the aftermath of the injury crisis. Apart from Neymar, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and Flamengo defender Danilo were withdrawn from the squad due to injury. The ensuing list of reinforcements called up by coach Dorival Jr. consists of the following:

Endrick (Real Madrid) – The highly gifted 17-year-old forward was called upon to supplement the Brazilian attack. Endrick has grabbed headlines across Europe this season and will certainly wish to make his mark in Neymar’s absence.

Lucas Perri fills in for Ederson as the other goalkeeping option-Perri has a fine chance to announce himself on the international stage with Ederson now sidelined.

If there were to be any urgent meetings with Colombia and Argentina, one of Sandro’s major defensive experiences may come in handy.

Read more: UCL Fixture: Madrid Derby Preview

Dorival Jr. talks about the movement in an official statement released by the CBF;

“From the original selection, the Brazil Medical Department was always advised by the CBF regarding the status of all athletes, with specific reference to Danilo from Flamengo, Neymar from Santos, and Ederson from Man City. The evaluation held subsequently decided to involve in the replacement: ‘Lucas Perri from Lyon, Alex Sandro from Flamengo, and Endrick from Real Madrid’.”

Brazil in the World Qualifying Campaign:

Currently, Brazil dwells on the fifth step on the South American World Cup qualifying table demanding that these two matches are crucial for direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Brazil’s Selecao will first meet Colombia on Thursday, March 20, before crossing along the historic border on March 25. Impressed, witness an all-important clash with the arch-rivals Argentina. As the top six earn a direct qualification, Brazil cannot afford to drop points in this crucial assignment.

Injuries, several changes of coaches, poor team selections, and feuds have marred Brazil’s campaign. The world makes them the most talented squad, but their performance questions their ability to sustain the absence of Neymar, Ederson, and Danilo.

Hence, May, Brazil’s qualification now is more about proving that they have evolved outside the limit of reliance on Neymar. Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Endrick will have to come up a notch and own the pitch in the attacking third. It will have to provide defensive balance under the guidance of Bruno Guimarães and Casemiro while creating offensive opportunities.

The impact of Neymar’s absence on Brazil’s attack

Brazil will feel the effect of Neymar’s absence on the attack. The player over the years has been the principal man in the attacking side for Brazil, scoring, assisting, and showing a better vision of play-making. He draws in defenders to get space for the rest better than anyone else.

However, the best thing is that this gives a little more space to younger guys. Endrick has been turning heads in Real Madrid, and now he wants to show what he can do in front of the international public. The boy’s speed, skill, and finishing ability show what he could bring to changing games for Brazil. Now, he has to take a lot more responsibility in leading the Brazilian attack as a highly praised performer at Real Madrid, Vinícius Júnior.

Can Brazil Survive Without Neymar?

Until then, they have to move on without the injured prince and are sharpening younger talents like Endrick to make him two greats in Neymar’s absence. As the qualifiers for the World Cup unfold, all eyes will be on the Seleção to see if they can secure a footing without one of the greatest players ever.

The contests against Colombia and Argentina will serve as the barometer to check the depth of the Brazilian squad and the flexibility of their tactics. If they can show themselves in a good light without Neymar, that would justify a successful transition into a more balanced and collective style of play.

At last, Neymar will still be the one casting a shadow over Brazilian football. And whether it be him coming back stronger or Brazil learning to live without him, the legacy of one of the greatest players ever to come out of Brazil is already well established.

What Lies Ahead for Neymar?

The recovery and rehabilitation stages in Santos are all that Neymar sees these days, having yet again fallen prey to injury. He should be able to show up for any Brazil rescues soon, but question marks pile up regarding his fitness in the long run and whether he will be able to perform at that level.

As far as the international future of the Brazilian player is concerned, it still hangs in the balance. He can certainly be a force at the 2026 World Cup, provided that the injuries don’t hinder him from staying fit. The recovery from injury under Brazilian medical supervision must be accurate so that he comes back stronger and fitter.

Some analysts think Neymar will have to change his style of play if he wants to prolong his career. Gradually, he will have to stop depending on explosive dribbling and start using vision and passing to still be important for Brazil. Neymar could eventually make his own transition to an advanced midfield role in the twilight of his career, as Messi has in recent years.