Neymar plays again and appeals to Ancelotti

Neymar, who has been out for five weeks due to injury, returned to the pitch on Thursday but was unable to prevent Santos' elimination from the Brazilian Cup, just days before the first squad list of the new Seleçao boss, Italian Carlo Ancelotti.

The 33-year-old came on as a substitute in the 66th minute of the match between "Peixe" and second division side Club Regatas Brasil at the Rei Pele stadium in Maceio (northeast).

The presence of "Ney" on the pitch, with his precise passes to his teammates, gave new impetus to Santos' attack, but did not allow the score to change from 0-0 after 90 minutes, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

The match, part of the third round of the Copa do Brasil, ended on penalties, with CRB winning 5-4. Neymar scored his penalty in the shootout.

"I know that with me on the pitch the situation is different (...) I know that I can help my teammates," said the No. 10 after the match.

The former Barça and PSG striker has not played since April 16, when he had to be substituted before halftime due to a thigh injury in a Brazilian league match against Atlético Mineiro.

Returning to Santos, his training club, in February, he has only played nine matches in three months, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

With his previous club, Al-Hilal, in Saudi Arabia, Neymar had only played seven matches in 17 months, due in part to a serious knee injury that kept him out of action for more than a year.

The Seleçao's all-time top scorer with 79 goals, he could be called up on Monday by new coach Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Ecuador and Paraguay on June 5 and 10.