The Brazilian national team is once again set to take the field without Neymar, a scenario that has become all too familiar in recent months. As Brazil prepares to face Colombia in the important CONCACAF FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the absence of their talismanic forward looms large. The team has struggled to find consistency in his absence, leading to renewed discussions about Brazil’s dependence on Neymar and how they will cope without him.
With several young attacking talents in the squad, Brazil is trying to move forward, but the statistics paint a concerning picture. How much does the Seleção really depend on the Santos ace? And more importantly, when will he finally make his long-awaited return to the national team?
Since Neymar made his debut for Brazil on August 10, 2010, the Canarinho has played a total of 64 matches without him, and the results are far from encouraging. According to data from BeSoccer (via beIN SPORTS), Brazil has managed to win just 54.7% of those matches, losing one in every five games (20.3%). However, with Neymar in the squad, the numbers improve drastically—Brazil’s win percentage jumps to nearly 72%, and defeats drop to just 9.4%.
The impact is even more evident in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. In the 28 matches Neymar has played, the five-time world champions have suffered only one defeat. Without him, however, the team’s record is noticeably weaker: in 19 matches, they have lost four times, drawn five, and won only ten. These figures underscore how the veteran’s presence significantly influences Brazil’s success on the pitch.
Struggle to replace Neymar’s influence
Despite years of debate about Brazil’s so-called ‘Neymar dependence‘, his extended absence has only reinforced how vital he is to the team. Since suffering a devastating ACL and meniscus injury against Uruguay in October 2023, the superstar has been out of action, leaving his national team searching for a new identity.
Manager Dorival Junior has experimented with a new attacking trio featuring Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Raphinha, but they have yet to deliver the same consistency Neymar provided. While Raphinha has been in career-best form for Barcelona, the Green-Yellow’s overall attacking play remains less fluid without their iconic No. 10.
As the team continues to adjust to life without the 33-year-old, some players have openly acknowledged how difficult his absence has been. Bruno Guimaraes has recently admitted that the squad was looking forward to Neymar’s return. “We’ll feel his absence. We’ll try to give our best, but there’s no doubt it’s a major loss,” the Newcastle midfielder stated in a press conference.
When will Neymar return to Brazil’s squad?
For now, Brazil will have to continue competing without Neymar, as the muscle injury to the back of his left thigh has ruled him out of the crucial March qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. However, there is finally a potential return date for the Santos captain.
With the 33-year-old missing the March matches, the next possible opportunity for him to rejoin the national team will be in June 2025, when Brazil faces Ecuador and Paraguay in two more World Cup Qualifiers. By then, he will have had several more months to recover fully, and both Brazil and Santos will be hoping to have him back at full strength.
