WITHOUT A CLUB, FORMER FLAMENGO PAOLO GUERRERO ENTER THE SIGHTS OF BRASILEIRÃO SERIES A TEAM

Last Friday (27), coach Dorival Júnior called up the 23 players who will represent the Brazilian team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. However, Neymar was left out again, as he has not yet recovered from the serious illness. knee injury. However, the Canarinho coach admitted counting on the striker in 2025.

Dorival Júnior and the general coordinator of the CBF men's teams, Rodrigo Caetano, preached patience regarding Neymar's return and highlighted that the date of return to the field is Al-Hilal's decision.

"We are realizing how important this player is. That in the coming years, from the moment he returns, we can enjoy one of the great players of world football at a landmark moment in his career and in our national team. Let's wait, we are patient, it doesn't matter if he can't return in October, November or only in February", said Dorival before completing.

< "He has to be confident, acting and, above all, completely clear about this injury, which was not simple, it demands time, respect for the procedures that were carried out. It's a matter of waiting and I hope that, in the future, we can enjoy the ability of an athlete like this", declared Dorival.

AWAY FROM THE GRASS FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR

Neymar has been away from the field for 11 months and He has already started working with the ball, but still does not participate in activities with the other Al-Hilal athletes. 

Thus, the CBF plans to send representatives to Saudi Arabia soon to monitor the player's recovery. Even from a distance, the entity follows every step of the athlete's evolution, who has worked with the team's physical preparations.

The Brazilian team has not been going through good times, with just one victory in the last four games. However, the president of the entity, Ednaldo Rodrigues, supports Dorival Júnior's work.

The CBF president considered that Dorival Jr, has not even completed a year in charge of Canarinho and that he needs time to develop his ideas with the group.

"It's a process, a work that he is starting, with a short training time, with the exception of the Copa América, which had a longer time. He is, within that time short, trying to field a renewed team, mixed with more experienced players. At some point, this game model that he has will happen to fit", said the CBF president.

"Always prioritizing the athlete, regardless. of the country in which he is playing, if he is well, he is called up. The team does not have a permanent list of athletes. This is important, we see with each call-up that there are different athletes within the work philosophy that he has determined with the committee. technique", added Ednaldo.

BRAZIL'S SITUATION WITH DORIVAL JR

Dorival Jr, led the Brazilian team in 10 games. In the meantime, the coach has only four wins, five draws and one defeat, precisely in the last clash, with Paraguay.

The 28th round of the Brazilian Championship ended with an important victory for Mais Querido. Last Sunday (29), Flamengo beat Athletico-PR 1-0 at Maracanã, ensuring their stay in the G-4 of the competition. The result was crucial in reducing the gap to the leader, Botafogo, which is now nine points. It is worth remembering that Mengão still has one game less, which could shorten the distance even further.

Playing at home, Rubro-Negro from Rio was superior on the field and carried out most of the offensive plays during the match. However, the winning goal only came 44 minutes into the second half, with Gerson, guaranteeing the three points for CRF. The triumph was essential for the team to remain among the top four in the table.

NEXT CHALLENGE: BAHIA AT THE ARENA FONTE NOVA

After winning the 28th round, Mengão now turns his attention to his next commitment in the Brazilian Championship. The team will face Bahia next Saturday (05), at 7pm (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 29th round of the competition. The match will be another test for the team to maintain the rhythm and continue in the fight for the title.

BALANCE IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

With the victory over Athletico-PR, the Flamengo added three more points to its Brasileirão campaign. So far, the team has 14 wins, six draws and seven defeats, with 43 goals scored and 32 conceded. The team's regularity has been essential to remain in the fight for the top positions in the tournament.

Before returning to focusing on the Brasileirão, Rubro-Negro has an important mission for the Copa do Brasil. Next Wednesday (02), Flamengo will face Corinthians at Maracanã, in the first match of the competition's semi-finals. The team led by Tite is looking for a good result at home, as the decision to place in the final will be in São Paulo.