Former captain Neymar has been called up to the Brazil national team after nearly 18 months away.
The 33-year-old striker was included in the squad by coach Dorival Junior on Thursday for World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina this month.
Neymar recently returned to playing with Santos after recovering from an ACL injury in October 2023. He left Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in January and signed a six-month contract with his childhood club.
Brazil, currently fifth in South American qualifying, will play Colombia at home on March 20 and then travel to top-ranked Argentina five days later, at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires.
“He’s played two full 90-minute matches for Santos and has been rested in the final minutes of some games,” said Júnior. “We’ll see how he performs leading up to our matches.”
Full Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City)
Defenders: Vanderson (Monaco), Wesley, Leo Ortiz, Danilo (all Flamengo), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Murillo (Nottingham Forest), Guilherme Arana (Atletico Mineiro)
Midfielders: Andre (Wolverhampton), Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Joelinton (Newcastle), Neymar (Santos)
Forwards: Estevão (Palmeiras), João Pedro (Brighton), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior (all Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City), Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton)
