Brazil call-up Neymar for 1st time in 17 months

Neymar's nearly 17-month absence from Brazil's national team because of injury is due to end with the country's all-time leading scorer named in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and at Argentina.

Brazil have been without their talisman since October 2023, when he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee while on international duty.

Neymar, who has scored a record 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil and played in three World Cups, had expressed his desire to play at the 2026 World Cup which will be staged in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Neymar, 33, returned to boyhood club Santos in the winter transfer window looking to rediscover his form after injuries limited him to only seven appearances in over 18 months at Saudi side Al Hilal.

He said he was "getting back into my best physical shape" after scoring in Sunday's 2-0 win against Bragantino his third goal in his last four games for Santos.

Brazil have struggled without Neymar, who played in the opening four World Cup qualifiers.

They are fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, seven points adrift of leaders Argentina after 12 games.

Dorival Júnior's side has won five and lost four of its qualifiers.

Brazil have two mouthwatering games coming up, against Colombia in Brasilia on March 20 and the South American 'clasico' against world champions Argentina in Buenos Aires five days later.

Full 23-man Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Bento, Ederson.

Defenders: Danilo, Guilherme Arana, Wesley, Vanderson, Éder Militão, Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos, Léo Ortiz, Murillo.

Midfielders: André, Bruno Guimarães, Gerson, Matheus Cunha, Neymar, Lucas Paquetá, Raphinha, Estêvão.

Forwards: João Pedro, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Savinho, Vinícius Júnior.