Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has left out Neymar and Vinicius Junior from his squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia, while Lucas Paquetá makes a return to the team.
Neymar, 33, who rejoined Santos in January, has not featured for the national team in nearly two years due to recurring injuries. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Ancelotti confirmed the forward picked up a minor issue last week but stressed there was no cause for concern.
“We don’t need to test Neymar. Everyone knows him. Like the others, he must arrive in good physical condition to help Brazil at the World Cup,” the Italian coach said.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, Neymar had previously been called up by Dorival Junior in March but withdrew after suffering a thigh injury.
Vinicius, who scored the decisive goal in June’s 1-0 win over Paraguay that sealed Brazil’s place at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will also sit out. Suspended for the clash with Chile on September 5, the technical crew opted to rest him as well for the high-altitude encounter against Bolivia on September 9.
Meanwhile, Paquetá returns after being cleared of betting allegations by the Premier League last month. Chelsea forward João Pedro, in fine form since his summer move, is also recalled.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Bento (Al-Nassr/KSA), Hugo Souza (Corinthians)
Defenders: Alexsandro (Lille/FRA), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Caio Henrique (Monaco/FRA), Douglas Santos (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Fabricio Bruno (Cruzeiro), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal/ENG), Marquinhos (PSG/FRA), Vanderson (Monaco/FRA), Wesley (Roma/ITA)
Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea/ENG), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle/ENG), Casemiro (Manchester United/ENG), Joelinton (Newcastle/ENG), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham/ENG)
Forwards: Estêvão (Chelsea/ENG), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal/ENG), João Pedro (Chelsea/ENG), Kaio Jorge (Cruzeiro), Luis Henrique (Zenith St-Petersburg/RUS), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United/ENG), Raphinha (Barcelona/ESP), Richarlison (Tottenham/ENG)
