Brazil fans had reason to celebrate in October 2024 as Neymar made his long-awaited return to competitive football.
The 32-year-old had spent a year on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, which caused him to miss the majority of Al Hilal's treble-winning season in Saudi Arabia and the 2024 Copa America held in the United States.
Neymar is now back playing for his club side, though his game time is being managed carefully, and there was speculation that he could earn a recall to the Brazil roster as early as November. However, Neymar was not on the list when Dorival Junior named that squad on Friday.
The Sporting News looks at when Neymar could make his return.
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Is Neymar in Brazil squad for November international break?
Even though he is back to match fitness, Neymar was not expected to be included in Dorival's squad for this month. Sure enough, he was absent from the list when the announcement was made at 3 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) on Friday, November 1.
The reason is the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) wants to see the player build up peak form and fitness with his club side before he returns to national-team duty.
Al Hilal are coached by Jorge Jesus, who led Flamengo to Copa Libertadores glory in 2019 as part of a hugely successful but short spell in charge of the Rio de Janeiro club.
Given his close ties with Brazilian football, agreements over how best to manage Neymar's return to the national team should be straightforward.
It is anticipated that the former Barcelona star will be back in the Selecao squad for the international break in March 2025, when Brazil will face Argentina and Colombia.
MORE: Neymar and Brazil's all-time record goal scorers
Brazil squad for November 2024 World Cup qualifiers
Below is the Brazil roster for their World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Uruguay:
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Bento | Al-Nassr (KSA) |
| GK | Ederson | Man City (ENG) |
| GK | Weverton | Palmeiras (BRA) |
| DEF | Abner | Lyon (FRA) |
| DEF | Danilo | Juventus (ITA) |
| DEF | Guilherme Arana | Atletico-MG (BRA) |
| DEF | Vanderson | Monaco (FRA) |
| DEF | Marquinhos | PSG (FRA) |
| DEF | Eder Militao | Real Madrid (ESP) |
| DEF | Gabriel Magalhaes | Arsenal (ENG) |
| DEF | Murilo | Nott. Forest (ENG) |
| MID | Andre | Wolves (ENG) |
| MID | Andreas Pereira | Fulham (ENG) |
| MID | Gerson | Flamengo (BRA) |
| MID | Bruno Guimaraes | Newcastle (ENG) |
| MID | Lucas Paqueta | West Ham (ENG) |
| MID | Rodrygo | Real Madrid (ESP) |
| FOR | Estevao | Palmeiras (BRA) |
| FOR | Luiz Henrique | Botafogo (BRA) |
| FOR | Igor Jesus | Botafogo (BRA) |
| FOR | Rodrygo | Real Madrid (ESP) |
| FOR | Raphinha | Barcelona (ESP) |
| FOR | Savinho | Man City (ENG) |
| FOR | Vinicius Junior | Real Madrid (ESP) |
Brazil next matches: November 2024 World Cup qualifying schedule
Brazil will play two fixtures in World Cup qualifying in the November international break.
November 14: Venezuela vs. Brazil (4 p.m. ET)
November 19: Brazil vs. Uruguay (7:45 p.m. ET)
