Cuca confirms Neymar for Paraguay, plans Santos run until Brazil call-up | OneFootball

According to Globo.com, head coach Cuca has confirmed Neymar will feature for Santos against Deportivo Recoleta in Paraguay on Tuesday, a fourth-round Copa Sudamericana tie at 21:30 Brasília time. He noted that local tickets have sold out.

Santos are bottom of Group D and need a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Cuca said the plan is for Neymar to continue across the next four matches until Brazil’s World Cup squad is named on 18 May, stressing the need to be energized and to leave everything on the pitch.

Neymar missed Saturday’s away clássico with Palmeiras. Cuca explained that the synthetic surface influenced the decision, as the forward feels it when playing on artificial turf.

Even so, the coach praised the surface at the arena, calling it very good and as soft as many natural pitches, with a true roll and no holes. He added that he respects those who struggle with joint issues, pointing to Neymar’s ankle, while maintaining the field is in strong condition for football.

Source: Globo.com