The Paris Saint-Germain defender says the captain's long-awaited return will provide a timely boost to the Selecao ahead of their clash with bitter rivals Argentina
Brazil defender David Luiz says the return of captain Neymar for this week’s World Cup qualifying clashes with Argentina and Peru will make a huge difference to the side – both on and off the field.
The Barcelona forward is back for the Superclasico showdown in Buenos Aires after serving a four-match suspension following his red card against Colombia at the Copa America earlier this year.
The Seelcao slumped to a 2-0 defeat in their opening qualifier against Chile before bouncing back with victory over Venezuela, and David Luiz says Neymar’s impact will be felt immediately upon his arrival in Buenos Aires this week.
“It is always very important to have Neymar,” Luiz told Globo.
“In addition to being decisive, being able to count on his presence in the group is crucial.
“He is a person who brings positivity in every way and his return gives us even more confidence, both on and off the field.”
Neymar’s Barcelona colleague Lionel Messi will be missing for Argentina through injury but Luiz says Brazil will not be taking their historic rivals lightly.
“They are without the best in the world, but they are not without other players of a level who can also make a difference,” he continued.
“It is a game of huge rivalry and of course a good result can ensure we keep the momentum we gained with our last victory in the qualifiers.”
Luiz hobbled out of Brazil’s defeat to Chile with a knee injury which kept him out of the subsequent clash with Venezuela.
He is set to return to the heart of the defence against Argentina and says he is particularly looking forward to next week’s match with Peru in Salvador, where his professional career began with Vitoria.
“Whenever I return to Salvador, the expectation is always greater because it was there that I gained my first steps professionally,” he said.
“The warmth of the Brazilian people has been tremendous and in Salvador we expect to be welcomed back with open arms."
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