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Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
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Neymar Still Out of Brazil Squad for World Cup Qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Hilal v Al-Taawoun - Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - October 26, 2024 Al-Hilal's Neymar poses for a picture in the stands during the match. (Reuters)

Neymar is back in action after more than a year out due to a torn ACL but he won’t be playing in Brazil’s last two World Cup qualifiers this year.

Brazil coach Dorival Júnior did not include the star striker in his squad on Friday for matches at Venezuela on Nov. 14 and against Uruguay five days later.

Neymar returned for Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal on Oct. 21 in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Júnior said he’s talked to Neymar three times in the last two months and the striker wanted to play for the national team.

“He is fully recovered, but he has had just a few minutes of play, and that was a big reason,” Júnior said. “By next year, he will have had more time playing, he will totally recover his confidence.”

Júnior also left out teenage striker Endrick.

Brazil is fourth in South American qualifying, six points behind leader Argentina after 10 rounds. The top six teams secure automatic berths in the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil:

Goalkeepers: Weverton (Palmeiras), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City).

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco) Abner (Lyon), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro), Murillo (Nottingham Forest) Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paquetá (West Ham), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Raphinha (Barcelona).

Forwards: Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Estêvão (Palmeiras), Savinho (Manchester City).

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Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
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Argentines Flocking to Watch F1 Driver Colapinto at Brazilian GP

Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)
Williams's Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto speaks during a press conference at the Jose Carlos Pace racetrack, also known as Interlagos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 31, 2024, ahead of the upcoming Formula One Sao Paulo Grand Prix next November 3. (AFP)

Thanks to Franco Colapinto, Spanish can be heard all over the Brazilian Grand Prix.

That's because thousands of Argentines have flocked to Interlagos to cheer their newest sports star in Formula 1.

The charismatic Colapinto finished the Mexican GP last weekend in 12th position, out of the points positions. But the 21-year-old Williams driver has earned five points since the Italian GP on Sept. 1, which was five points more than his predecessor Logan Sargeant managed all year.

At least 10,000 Argentines have come to Sao Paulo, according to estimates by tourism agencies. That is one sixth of those expected to attend the Interlagos track this weekend.

Argentine supporters were already in the stands during Friday practice and sprint race qualifying, showing off the national colors on hats, flags and soccer T-shirts in hope of inspiring Colapinto, the only South American on the grid.

"Franco, 46 million Argentinians are with you," read one banner. "Be strong."

Most Argentines have fading memories of watching five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio (1950-58) or Carlos Reutemann (1972-82) win races. Gastón Mazzacane (2000-01) was the most recent Argentine to drive until Colapinto arrived, and he didn't score a point.

Fashion designer Anna Rosatti, 52, has come to her first F1 grand prix because of Colapinto, and childhood memories of celebrating Argentine success on TV.

"I used to watch Carlos Reutermann with my parents," she said. "Colapinto's story of fighting hard, falling and coming back reminds me of my childhood, of what it is to be Argentine." She was in the Interlagos paddock, carrying three national flags and wearing a cap celebrating Argentina's World Cup soccer title in 2022.

Brazilian fans such as Felipe Santos, 42, are also keen to see Colapinto do well at Interlagos.

"He is funny, but he is also a fighter. We love this here," Santos said. "This is not soccer, no Brazil vs. Argentina. It is racing, and anyone who likes racing likes his style."

Williams team principal James Vowles said on Friday he was speaking to other teams about finding a place for Colapinto next year.

"We are actively working with teams that are interested to try and find the right arrangement that helps Franco, that protects Franco as well, and protects all parties," Vowles said.

Later, in sprint race qualifying, Colapinto knocked out former F1 champion Fernando Alonso en route to 14th place, five behind his Williams teammate Alexander Albon. Still, Colapinto was happy about his prospects and the support of compatriots at Interlagos.

"It was just amazing to see all the support I received here, those travelling fans coming to the race and creating such a joyful atmosphere," Colapinto said. "It was a hard afternoon, but let's see what we can do tomorrow. There's a lot still to happen this weekend."