Brazil Neymar was called up to the Brazilian national team after 17 months and could play against Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on March 25.

Neymar last played for Brazil in a training camp in October 2023. He played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Venezuela and 45 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Uruguay, where he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and ruptured the meniscus in his left knee, ruling him out for nearly a year.

During this training camp, Brazil will play Colombia at home against Mane Garrincha on March 20 and then visit Argentina in Buenos Aires on March 25. Therefore, Neymar will have the opportunity to face his close friend and former teammate Lionel Messi – who was also named in Argentina’s squad announced on March 3. These two stars met in the 2021 Copa America final, where Argentina won 1-0 thanks to Angel di Maria.

Despite being out for 17 months, Neymar still holds the record of scoring 79 goals in 128 matches for Brazil. The 33-year-old striker has played in three World Cups, and is ambitious to continue playing in the 2026 World Cup – a tournament co-hosted by Canada, the US and Mexico.

Neymar made just seven appearances in 18 months with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, before returning to boyhood club Santos in the mid-season transfer window. Neymar has been in fine form since returning to Brazil, scoring three goals, providing three assists and being named man of the match four times in seven games.

On March 6, the former PSG and Barca striker posted on Instagram a photo of himself watching the announcement of the Brazilian team’s squad by coach Dorival Junior on TV with the message “Happy to be back”.

Dorival wants to ease the pressure, avoid creating too high expectations and placing all the responsibility on Neymar in this comeback. But he also hopes that the 33-year-old striker will soon regain his peak form. “We believe that with his ability and qualities, Neymar can overcome any situation on the pitch,” he said.

Dorival’s team has won 5, lost 4, drawn 3, and currently has 18 points, 7 points behind the leader Argentina. The top 6 teams in the South American qualifying round will qualify for the 2027 World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will play a play-off for a place.