Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal said Monday he was taking inspiration from basketball great LeBron James and Brazilian footballer Neymar to try and inspire a Champions League comeback against Atletico Madrid.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

A Rio de Janeiro court has overturned a fine of more than $3 million against football star Neymar for allegedly damaging the environment by building an artificial lake at his mansion.

World Cup-winning legend Ronaldinho has launched a scathing attack on Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti for dropping Neymar from the national squad, insisting the 34-year-old Santos winger remains superior to most players currently wearing the Seleção jersey.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday Neymar is "not 100 percent" fit so will miss two friendlies later this month as youngster Endrick returns to the squad.

Santos said Neymar's absence was precautionary but the timing is awkward, with Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti having organised a trip from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo to watch the 34-year-old in action.

Before Thursday's game, the 34-year-old last scored in December and after recently returning from knee surgery, he is still working towards peak fitness.

Former Brazil captain Neymar said he is thinking of retiring at the end of the year after being hampered by injuries but hopes to go to the World Cup first.

Brazil forward Neymar has started rehabilitation following arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Dec. 22 as he aims to secure a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster.

"Santos is my place, I'm at home," Neymar said in a video published on the Brazilian club's social media.

Neymar's first season back at his first club was interrupted by injuries, but the 33-year-old scored four times as Santos won their last three games to move out of the relegation places on the final day of the season in December.

Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday.

Neymar has not featured for Brazil in two years due to a succession of injuries.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti reiterated his previous stance of placing form over reputation when selecting the squad for the World Cup, insisting Neymar will only be selected if he proves he deserves a place in the squad for the 2026 tournament, after the World Cup draw took place in Washington DC on Friday.

Reigning champions Argentina will face Algeria, Austria and first-time qualifiers Jordan in their 2026 World Cup group, according to the draw made in Washington on Friday.

Neymar played through a knee injury to score a hat-trick and lift his boyhood club Santos clear of the relegation zone in Brazil's Serie A.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Vinicius Jr must be fully fit to make next year’s World Cup squad, reiterating his policy of picking only players who are 100% game-ready.

Brazil's record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches, Neymar has not pulled on the yellow jersey since October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said Neymar's physical condition will be crucial for his inclusion in the national team for next year's World Cup, following the 33-year-old forward's omission from recent qualifiers.

Football legend Ronaldinho is confident that Neymar’s story with Brazil is far from over, backing the Santos forward to make a comeback and lead the Selecao to another World Cup triumph.