Who will replace Neymar and Vinícius Junior?

The first qualifying match for Brazil will be against Bolivia, but without Neymar or Vinícius Junior, and there are already substitutes. But who will replace Neymar and Vinícius Junior.

In addition to Bolivia, Brazil’s other opponent will be Peru, so there will be two match dates to use variations.

As you know, Brazil’s first qualifying match will be against Bolivia. Last week, it became known that Brazil will be missing Neymar due to a thigh muscle injury in his right leg. But in addition to the absence of the Al Hilal player, Vinícius Junior will also be absent.

Vinícius Junior started in Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Celta de Vigo, but was substituted at the 18th minute due to a muscular injury. Spanish media indicate that his recovery time would be four weeks, so he won’t make it to the double date.

In this regard, the team temporarily led by Fernando Diniz will host Bolivia and visit the Peruvian national team. “He felt discomfort in the muscle. It’s a shame because he started the match very well. He wanted to continue, he tried, but we preferred not to take risks. We’ll see what he has in the next few hours. It’s a pity, I don’t think he will be available against Getafe, and he will use the break to recover,” stated Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach, in a press conference.

Interestingly, Ancelotti will be the coach of Brazil next year; a sign that the team aims for success in the upcoming cycle.

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Who will replace Neymar and Vinícius Junior?

¿Who will replace Vinícius and Neymar? Brazil has already presented its list of 23 selected players for the first double match date.

According to the characteristics of the selected players, the natural replacements for Vinícius Junior and Neymar are:

• Rodrygo: Vinícius’s teammate at Real Madrid, tasked with taking his place on several occasions. Last season, he solidified his role as a key player for the ‘merengue’ team by scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists in 57 matches. Additionally, he played a significant role in the 2021/2022 Champions League title, scoring several crucial goals. He excels in a style of play that involves moving into space and being decisive in the final meters, rather than relying solely on skillful dribbling.
• Antony: An winger for Manchester United with characteristics similar to Neymar’s, including the audacity to perform tricks from the wing. Antony started as a starter in the first three matches of the ‘Red Devils’ in the Premier League. With the Brazilian national team, he played in four matches during the Qatar 2022 World Cup and nine in the qualifiers, scoring in the victories against Paraguay (4-0) and Venezuela (3-1).
• Gabriel Martinelli: A figure for Arsenal who came close to winning the Premier League last season, posting impressive numbers with 15 goals and five assists. He is a player who attacks both from the wing and the center. He is particularly dangerous in counterattacks, where he stands out for his speed.
• Matheus Cunha: He is the newcomer in Fernando Diniz’s call-up, as he had lost consideration and wasn’t called up for the World Cup. Last season, he stood out with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and aims to secure that position.

These players are the ones who will replace Neymar and Vinícius Junior, carrying the goal-scoring load. However, Matheus Cunha shone with Wolverhampton Wanderers last season in the Premier League and hopes to retain that position.

The called-up players for Brazil in the first CONMEBOL qualifying match are:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool FC), Ederson (Manchester City), Bento (Athletico Paranaense).

Defenders: Magalhaes (Arsenal), Ibañez (Al Ahli), Marquinhos (PSG), Nino (Fluminense), Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (AS Monaco), Ciao Henrique (AS Monaco), Renan Lodi (Olympique).

Midfielders: André (Fluminense), Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Joelinton (Newcastle), Raphael Veiga (Palmeiras).

Forwards: Antony (Manchester United), Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton), Neymar (Al Hilal), Richarlison (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).

To the question of “Who will replace Neymar and Vinicius?” another one arises: “Will they be able to deliver in these matches?”