Brazil manager Dorival Junior has revealed that a fully-fit Neymar would be part of his plans going forward.

The national team's record goalscorer has missed most of the last 12 months through injury, after suffering an ACL rupture last year, and another setback last month shortly after his return to action.

Neymar has not pulled on the Brazil jersey since matchday four of CONMEBOL qualifying last October, just before his unfortunate long-term injury.

The attacker scored twice in Brazil's opening four qualifiers, during the reign of Fernando Diniz, with Dorival not having the opportunity to call upon Neymar since taking over in January.

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Dorival makes Neymar admission

Speaking to the press following their clash with Uruguay, Dorival was full of praise for Neymar, claiming: "I have never hidden my admiration for him. We all know how capable he is, I would like him to return to the team at a time when the team can support him."

The Selecao boss then pencilled in a potential return for the Al-Hilal man, when CONMEBOL qualifying resumes next year.

"I hope that [he returns] again in March, or the following year. All we want is for him to be fully fit so that he can do his best. I have no doubt that with Neymar, the national team's performance will be even better.

"If he were fit, he would already be accelerating this process for us. We were right not to call him up last time [in October], especially because of what happened later, his injury [recurrence].

"We were very cautious and safe, because we were monitoring his situation. We took the right approach." Dorival stated.

Dorival finished by confirming that Neymar would be a crucial cog in the Brazilian team if he was fit.

"First, we want him to recover his conditions at the club, and then he returns to the national team, because he is essential, yes. I have no doubt that he will continue to grow with the team."

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Brazil's current predicament in World Cup qualifying

Dorival was speaking in the aftermath of Brazil's 1-1 draw at home to Uruguay on Tuesday night, which saw them drop points for the second time in a week.

The Selecao could also only manage a 1-1 draw against Venezuela a few days earlier, and that leaves them down in fifth, seven points behind Argentina.

Fortunately for Brazil, CONMEBOL are now granted six automatic berths instead of four, following the expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48.

Since Neymar's injury, Brazil have taken just 11 points from eight qualifiers, but they are on course to reach the finals in 2026, sitting five points ahead of Bolivia in seventh.

Written by
Andrew Delaney