Brazil kick off their tournament against Costa Rica on Monday and will be without experienced duo Casemiro and Neymar.
Brazil begin their 2024 Copa América campaign against Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Monday night and will be desperate to get off to a strong start to prove they can compete with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, among others, to win the tournament. Their case won’t be helped by Neymar’s absence due to injury, while former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, another experienced figure, won’t be playing in the United States either.
Why isn’t Neymar playing in the 2024 Copa América?
That head coach Dorival Júnior didn’t name Neymar on his 26-man roster for the tournament didn’t come as a surprise due to the former Barcelona attacker tearing his ACL while playing for his country in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay last October. Although the 32-year-old is nearing his return, he was never seriously in consideration.
Casemiro’s difficult season with Manchester United
Casemiro, on the other hand, played 32 games for Manchester United in the 2023/24 season and has been one of Brazil’s top players in recent years. However, he was frequently criticised for his performances for the Premier League giants last term and Dorival Júnior opted to leave the five-time Champions League winner off his roster for tactical reasons, which raised plenty of eyebrows.
“Casemiro deserves respect from all of us,” the Brazil coach said after naming his provisional squad for the tournament in May. “Three months ago, I told him what I expected of him. He knows very well what I think of him.
“I explained to him what I thought about his situation, the situation of his team, and what he needed. It doesn’t mean, because he is not coming now, that he is or will be ruled out later.”
Brazil’s inexperienced roster
The absences of Casemiro (75 caps) and Neymar (128 caps) have left Brazil with an unusually inexperienced squad for the tournament. 15 players in the squad go into 2024 Copa América with 10 caps or fewer, while only five members of the roster have played more than 30 games for their country.
Vutckmoty
1
naymarar
vuaabdipu
0
Because he already gave them all he can Plus there is simply better options
Liyacklruz
2
this is the stupid coach I've ever seen... no Caseniro, neymar.
wusainr
1
playing for man u
yicabers
0
Really do Brazil still need Casemiro and Neymar
Looking at their performance yesterday, yes they do
msiwela07
0
Brazil is packing in the first round. The whole Manchester United team was useless this season and Casemiro was played out of position due to injuries in defense and they wrongly judged him out of position. Anyway they are getting what they deserve with the squad they assembled
that's very true. the coach listened to the media propaganda against certain players. Brazil is going nowhere with those average players
bamadiloty
0
Really do Brazil still need Casemiro and Neymar
bamadiloty
1
Because he is finished
Lenceiopu
0
and paqueta had a good season right? these coaches were duped by the British media propaganda and his absence will cost them during the tournament
Brazil is packing in the first round. The whole Manchester United team was useless this season and Casemiro was played out of position due to injuries in defense and they wrongly judged him out of position. Anyway they are getting what they deserve with the squad they assembled
msiwela07
1
The coach is inexperienced, the players are inexperienced the team won't experience winning the The trophy 🏆 this year.
and paqueta had a good season right? these coaches were duped by the British media propaganda and his absence will cost them during the tournament
Lenceiopu
2
The coach is inexperienced, the players are inexperienced the team won't experience winning the The trophy 🏆 this year.
Timberland03
1
Ask Erica Ten Haag
Eddycure09
0
why Joao Gomes is a starter????????
Kesadlor
1
he is playing for Argentina
BLKBtl
0
This team won't go far this time
denadintuz
0
He is not good e8 to ware the Brazil jersey.
biscmnouz
0
Casemiro not making this Brazilian team still puzzles me. This must be a joke 😏
Just like sterling...grealish and Henderson not making the English team
Beminru
2
Casemiro isn’t good enough. He’s getting old and slow
sunglex
2
because he is finished
Bigfan193
3
Because he didn’t have a good season and do not deserve a call to the national team even though he’s a great reputation.
Lusacdmsu
4
Casemiro not making this Brazilian team still puzzles me. This must be a joke 😏