Why Neymar and other Brazil stars aren't playing in friendly vs England
- Brazil face England at Wembley during the March international break
- Two sides haven't clashed since November 2017
- Neymar is one of the major absentees for the Selecao
There is always something special about when England meet Brazil on the international stage.
The two nations have clashed on 26 occasions in the past, with only four coming in major tournaments. However, even friendlies between the Three Lions and the five-time World Cup winners have a certain buzz that surround them.
England and Brazil will lock horns for a 27th time this Saturday as the teams prepare for the summer's upcoming European Championship and Copa America respectively.
Gareth Southgate has named a typically strong England squad for this weekend's match, but Dorival Junior's Brazil options have been decimated by fitness concerns ahead of the trip to Wembley, with spectators in London missing out on the chance to see some of the world's elite, such as Neymar.
Here is why Neymar and some of his other Brazilian teammates won't feature against England.
Why won't Neymar play against England?
Those with a ticket to Wembley this weekend won't have the joy of seeing former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar take to the field. That's because the Al Hilal attacker was injured during his last spell with the national team in November, rupturing his ACL in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Neymar has been sidelined ever since and is a serious doubt to feature in this summer's Copa America, which commences on 20 June in the United States. He has also played just five times for new club Al Hilal since his £86m switch to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Neymar has faced England three times before, but has never tasted victory or even scored.
Which other Brazil stars are injured for England clash?
Neymar isn't the only superstar absent from the Brazil ranks, with several high-profile Premier League players currently sidelined. Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes (foot) and Gabriel Martinelli (foot) are both missing, while striker Gabriel Jesus wasn't called up, despite being fit.
The goalkeeping duo of Ederson (thigh) and Alisson (thigh) are injured at present too, as are the midfield pair of Joelinton (thigh) and Casemiro (muscle). PSG centre-back Marquinhos (calf) has also had to withdraw from the Brazil squad.
Brazil squad for March international break
Position | Players |
|---|---|
Goalkeepers | Bento (Athletico Paranaense), Leo Jardim (Vasco da Gama), Rafael (Sao Paulo) |
Defenders | Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Bremer (Juventus), Lucas Beraldo (PSG), Wendell (Porto), Ayrton Lucas (Flamengo), Murilo (Palmeiras), Fabricio Bruno (Flamengo) |
Midfielders | Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Joao Gomes (Wolves), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham), Andre (Fluminense), Pablo Maia (Sao Paulo) |
Forwards | Endrick (Palmeiras), Richarlison (Tottenham), Pepe (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Galeno (Porto), Savio (Girona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid), Rodrygo (Real Madrid) |
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