Neymar nears return in World Cup bid

Santos forward Neymar is close to returning from injury as he bids for a place in Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

The 33-year-old has not played since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in December, but returned to full training this week.

Brazil's Neymar reacts before a friendly soccer match between Brazil and Qatar in Brasilia, Brazil, June 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ming)

He is considered an outside chance to feature in Santos's home Brazilian Serie A clash against Sao Paulo on Wednesday, though manager Juan Pablo Vojvoda said he would not rush back the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star.

Neymar made 28 appearances for Santos across all competitions last year, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists.

His injury-hit campaign came after he spent more than a year out with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, suffered in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

Brazil's all-time leading scorer is in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

He has not represented his country for more than two years and Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he will only consider players who are playing regularly for their clubs.