Neymar to Lead Brazil in World Cup Qualifying

On Friday, Brazil coach Tite maintained patience with a struggling Neymar, preferring him to lead the Selecao as they begin their qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup next month.

Young Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes joins the squad and is able to make his international debut while Real Madrid striker Rodrygo returns as well, reports AFP.

On the 9th of October, the five-time world champions play Bolivia in Sao Paulo, then fly to Lima to meet Peru four days later. The matches were initially scheduled for March but were postponed due to pandemic coronavirus.

The return to international play could be a welcome break for Neymar, who's had a turbulent time with Paris Saint-Germain after losing the Champions League final.

He first had to quarantine after testing positive for coronavirus and then was suspended for two matches Wednesday for his role in a brawl at the end of PSG's 1-0 defeat to Marseille when he returned to action.

The French League is investigating the allegation made by the star striker that Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez was taunting him with racial insults.

The call from Tite was also received by Neymar's former PSG teammate Thiago Silva, who signed with Chelsea last month, although the center-back will be 37 by the time of the Qatar World Cup.

But Tite lost regular members of the squad including Ederson, the Manchester City goalkeeper.

He also kept off calling Captain Dani Alves, 37, hurt, instead choosing 19-year-old Gabriel Menino of Palmeiras.

Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Belgium in the 2018 World Cup.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool/ENG), Santos (Athletico Paranaense) Weverton (Palmeiras)

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus/ITA), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras), Alex Telles (FC Porto/POR), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Thiago Silva (Chelsea/ENG), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Felipe (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid/ESP), Fabinho (Liverpool/ENG), Bruno Guimaraes (Lyon/FRA), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa/ENG), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona/ESP), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)

Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City/ENG), Rodrygo (Real Madrid/ESP), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Everton (Benfica/POR), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool/ENG), Richarlison (Everton/ENG)