VIDEO: Neymar scores twice in dazzling display for Santos with three of Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil staff members watching on

The enigmatic 33-year-old playmaker has endured more fitness issues since returning to his roots on the back of a forgettable stint in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal. He is, however, determined to grace the 2026 World Cup next summer.

Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer needs to prove his form and fitness to Carlo Ancelotti in order to be selected for that tournament. A Selecao delegation was sent to watch Neymar’s latest appearance for Santos.

He did his best to catch the eye, with a brace being registered in a 3-1 win. His first effort of the game was a composed finish when the ball broke his way six yards out, while his second was successfully converted from the penalty spot.

Executive coordinator of the Brazil national team, Rodrigo Caetano, technical manager Juan and physical trainer Cristiano Nunes were among those in attendance at Estadio do Morumbi - and they will have been impressed by what they saw.

Neymar told reporters afterwards of trying to force his way back into the Brazil squad: “Everyone knows my style of football. I'm available, regardless of anything. I'm an athlete, I still feel good, so it depends entirely on him [Ancelotti].

“Happy to play a good game, to win again, which is the most important thing. And I think our team has to keep improving from here. Obviously, we can't repeat many of the mistakes we made, but that's how it is. We have to work to improve more and more.”

Neymar, with 79 international goals to his name, won the last of his 128 caps for Brazil in October 2023 - with it that contest against Uruguay that saw him suffer knee ligament damage which led to surgery and 12 months on the sidelines.