Once a stalwart for Brazil's squad, the 33-year-old was left off manager Carlo Ancelotti's 23-man roster for the Seleção 's final two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next week. It now extends Neymar's absence from international duty to nearly two years.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti did not recall Neymar and spared Vinicius Junior for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next month with Lucas

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker has not donned the famous yellow jersey since October 2023, when he suffered serious knee ligament injuries that have plagued his comeback attempts.