Where is Neymar? Why Brazil star is not playing today in FIFA World Cup qualifier vs. Paraguay, next matches

Neymar earned a recall to the Brazil squad for the March international break and looked set to play for his country for the first time since his terrible knee injury, but that was scuppered at the last moment.

Now, he remains out of international action, still sidelined for his country and yet to return for the first time in nearly two years.

The forward suffered serious ligament damage in October 2023 while playing for the Selecao and has since faced a long journey towards regaining full fitness.

Neymar signed for boyhood club Santos on loan at the beginning of this year and has enjoyed a positive time back in his homeland, with three goals and three assists in seven appearances. His form saw him handed a return to the international squad for this month's important World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

However, he remains out of action for his country's games over the summer of 2025. The Sporting News explains why.

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Where is Neymar? Why star isn't playing for Brazil today

Neymar is not playing today as the forward was not called in to the Selecao squad for June World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

The 33-year-old was struggling with a muscle injury which forced him to withdraw from the squad in March, and he has only just recently returned to the pitch for his club Santos. Thus, Carlo Ancelotti did not wish to risk his oft-injured forward's fragile health until he was fully match fit and ready to take on the heavy load of international duty.

Instead, Raphinha continues to lead the Brazil attack alongside Vinicius Jr. and Matheus Cunha. Vini Jr scored the game-winning goal against Colombia in the first March qualifier, but the Brazil attack was anemic in their first summer game on the road against Ecuador, managing just three shots in the absence of a suspended Raphinha.

MORE: Lineups, team news and full rosters for Brazil vs. Colombia

What time does Brazil vs. Paraguay kick off?

This World Cup qualifying match takes place at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil and kicks off on Tuesday, June 10 at 9:45 p.m. local time.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

Brazil fixtures: Next matches, 2025 schedule

After Brazil face Paraguay on June 10, they have just two more qualifiers with which to rescue their mediocre standing.

The final international window of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying will come in September, when they face bottom-dwellers Chile at home before a last-day trip to the mountains of Bolivia which is always a daunting affair.

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