Is Brazil too depending on Neymar? Key stats reveal the reality and when Santos star might make his nationwide workforce comeback

The Brazilian nationwide workforce is as soon as once more set to take the sphere with out Neymar, a state of affairs that has turn out to be all too acquainted in current months. As Brazil prepares to face Colombia within the vital CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the absence of their talismanic ahead looms massive. The workforce has struggled to seek out consistency in his absence, resulting in renewed discussions about Brazil’s dependence on Neymar and the way they are going to cope with out him.

With a number of younger attacking abilities within the squad, Brazil is making an attempt to maneuver ahead, however the statistics paint a regarding image. How a lot does the Seleção actually depend upon the Santos ace? And extra importantly, when will he lastly make his long-awaited return to the nationwide workforce?

Since Neymar made his debut for Brazil on August 10, 2010, the Canarinho has performed a complete of 64 matches with out him, and the outcomes are removed from encouraging. Based on knowledge from BeSoccer (through beIN SPORTS), Brazil has managed to win simply 54.7% of these matches, dropping one in each 5 video games (20.3%). Nevertheless, with Neymar within the squad, the numbers enhance drastically—Brazil’s win proportion jumps to almost 72%, and defeats drop to only 9.4%.

The influence is much more evident in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Within the 28 matches Neymar has performed, the five-time world champions have suffered solely one defeat. With out him, nevertheless, the workforce’s file is noticeably weaker: in 19 matches, they’ve misplaced 4 occasions, drawn 5, and gained solely ten. These figures underscore how the veteran’s presence considerably influences Brazil’s success on the pitch.

Wrestle to interchange Neymar’s affect

Regardless of years of debate about Brazil’s so-called ‘Neymar dependence‘, his prolonged absence has solely strengthened how very important he’s to the workforce. Since struggling a devastating ACL and meniscus harm towards Uruguay in October 2023, the famous person has been out of motion, leaving his nationwide workforce looking for a brand new identification.

Supervisor Dorival Junior has experimented with a new attacking trio that includes Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Raphinha, however they’ve but to ship the identical consistency Neymar supplied. Whereas Raphinha has been in career-best type for Barcelona, the Inexperienced-Yellow’s general attacking play stays much less fluid with out their iconic No. 10.

Because the workforce continues to regulate to life with out the 33-year-old, some gamers have overtly acknowledged how troublesome his absence has been. Bruno Guimaraes has just lately admitted that the squad was wanting ahead to Neymar’s return. “We’ll really feel his absence. We’ll attempt to give our greatest, however there’s little question it’s a significant loss,” the Newcastle midfielder said in a press convention.

When will Neymar return to Brazil’s squad?

For now, Brazil should proceed competing with out Neymar, because the muscle harm to the again of his left thigh has dominated him out of the essential March qualifiers towards Colombia and Argentina. Nevertheless, there may be lastly a potential return date for the Santos captain.

With the 33-year-old lacking the March matches, the subsequent potential alternative for him to rejoin the nationwide workforce will likely be in June 2025, when Brazil faces Ecuador and Paraguay in two extra World Cup Qualifiers. By then, he could have had a number of extra months to get well absolutely, and each Brazil and Santos will likely be hoping to have him again at full energy.