Brazil boss Dorival Junior explained why he did not include Neymar in the national team squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Neymar fails to make Brazil squad
  • Al-Hilal star returned to action last month
  • Will be back in action on Monday
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Neymar failed to make the 23-member Brazil squad that will be in action later this month against Venezuela and Uruguay in World Cup qualifying. The Al-Hilal star returned to action last month after spending a year on the sidelines due to an ACL injury. After announcing the squad, manager Dorival Jr explained why he decided to keep the superstar out of his team.

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  • WHAT DORIVAL JUNIOR SAID

    Speaking to reporters, the 62-year-old said: "We decided not to bring him so as not to rush things. He's practically fully recovered, but he only had a few minutes, which weighed heavily on the decision. He was willing to be here but he also understood the situation, the condition he is in, the lack of minutes [13] on the field. We have to respect the club's process. A player of his level always has the pleasure of being here. This is very important to us, even though he is not in full condition."

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Other than the Al-Hilal attacker, two other big names are missing from the team, Liverpool's Alisson and Real Madrid sensation Endrick. While Alisson is currently carrying an injury, Endrick has clocked just 107 minutes on the pitch this season and did not appear for Carlo Ancelotti's side in their last four matches. Madrid team-mates Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior are all included in the squad.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

    The 32-year-old former Barcelona star will be back in action for his club in the coming week as the Saudi Pro League champions take on Iran's Esteghlal in an AFC Champions League group stage clash on Monday.