New Brazil boss Dorival ranks Neymar among world's best three players

New Brazil manager Dorival Junior believes Neymar is among the world's best three players but knows his side must find a way to cope without their injured talisman.

Dorival has succeeded Fernando Diniz in the Selecao hotseat after rumoured target Carlo Ancelotti signed a new deal with Real Madrid.

He takes over a team that has not recovered from its 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Croatia, sitting sixth in the 2026 qualification standings.

And he must also initially do without the national team's all-time leading goalscorer, who has undergone knee surgery.

Dorival, 61, said: "Brazil has to learn to play without Neymar because he has an injury. 

"But we have one of the three greatest players in the world and we will count on him."

Dorival also refuted the suggestion he is on frosty terms with the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain icon.

The pair were reported to have fallen out when he was Neymar's manager at Santos in 2010 but the veteran boss insists there is nothing to worry about.

He added: "I have no problem with Ney.

"That situation went beyond what was expected. I have never had any kind of problem with the player, quite the opposite. 

"Whenever we meet, it is a very positive situation."

Dorival now wants Brazil to fulfil their "obligation" to win after a sticky period of three victories in nine matches and three straight defeats.

The former Fluminense and Flamengo boss left Sao Paulo to take on the role and is keen to oversee an immediate improvement.

He said: "It's a difficult moment but it's nothing that cannot be reversed quickly.

"We need to deliver a reliable national team, which gives credibility. We have to play great games again. 

"I am here today representing the most successful team on the planet, the one that inspires many around the world. And it has an obligation to win again."