After 17 months away from international soccer, Neymar has finally been recalled to the Brazil national team—a moment that has sparked excitement among fans and teammates alike.
The 33-year-old, who has been making waves since returning to boyhood club Santos in January, is back in the spotlight after an impressive run of performances in Brazil’s top flight.
Neymar has not played for the Selecão since suffering a serious knee injury against Uruguay in October 2023. His return is a major boost, not just in terms of raw talent but also for the leadership he brings. Expected to reclaim the iconic No.10 jersey, the Santos star could also take on the captain’s armband once again, a role he has previously embraced with pride.
As the squad announcement was made, Neymar took to Instagram to share a simple yet powerful reaction. He posted a photo of himself watching the announcement on television, accompanied by just four words: “Happy to be back!” The brief but heartfelt message reflects his eagerness to don the famous yellow jersey once more and play a crucial role in Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Neymar comemorando sua volta a seleção via instagram. pic.twitter.com/kq4SvO1Xq2
— njdeprê – marlon (@njdmarlon) March 6, 2025
Redemption at Santos
Following a disappointing spell at Saudi club Al-Hilal, Neymar’s return to his homeland was met with cautious optimism. However, he has wasted no time in reminding the world of his brilliance. With three goals and three assists in seven matches, he has reignited the excitement that surrounded his early days in Brazil. One of his standout moments came in a 2-0 victory over Bragantino, where he netted a stunning free-kick, proving he still possesses the flair and technique that made him a global superstar.
His recall comes at a crucial time for Brazil, who currently sit fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying table with 18 points from 12 games. The upcoming clashes will see them take on Colombia at home on March 21 before heading to Argentina five days later to face the current table leaders.
Record-breaking legacy
Neymar’s return also adds to his growing legacy. With 128 caps, he is closing in on Cafu’s all-time record (142), and he already holds the title of Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer with 79 goals, surpassing Pele’s record of 77.
Speaking about the veteran’s return, Brazil’s head coach Dorival Junior expressed confidence in the forward’s ability to make an impact. “There’s no need to talk about what Neymar represents. He is currently recovering his form, we understand and are aware of this. But we believe his abilities and qualities allow him to be in a condition to overcome any situation on the field,” Dorival told reporters.
He further emphasized Neymar’s importance to the squad, adding: “We were waiting for him to return. This is the first opportunity that we could have him since recovering from injury. I hope he is very happy when he returns. Let’s give him the confidence to develop to the best of his ability, let’s not create high expectations, let’s not place all the responsibility on his return.”