Santos captain Neymar has become the first player in Brazil's top flight to be ordered off the pitch for a minute under a fresh trial designed to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers currently being tested in the league.

Under the trial, which is to be implemented in other competitions including the Premier League, if play is halted due to a goalkeeper requiring medical care, the coach must immediately nominate an outfield player to leave the field for a minute after play restarts.

Should the coach fail to nominate a player within 10 seconds, the captain of the team must be the one to leave the field.

During Santos's 3-0 victory over Vasco on Sunday, the rule was enforced for the first time in Brazil's Serie A as goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao requested medical attention.

As the Santos coach did not nominate another team member within 10 seconds, the referee instructed captain Neymar to leave the field.

He subsequently came back on to help his side to a routine victory.

Neymar recently made just two appearances at the World Cup after struggling with a calf injury during the tournament.

He came off the bench to score a penalty in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat by Norway in the last-16, and revealed afterwards that he was planning to retire from international football.

The 34-year-old was visibly emotional after his team’s World Cup exit and was asked to confirm whether he was planning to play for Brazil again a couple of weeks after the tournament.

Reiterating the same message, Neymar told reporters in late July: "I think my time with the national team has already passed. I made history there, and I'm very happy about it. I experienced a lot there, gave my blood and my life, and always fought and battled for the yellow jersey. But I don't think I want it anymore.”

Neymar has enjoyed a stellar club career with Santos, Barcelona, and PSG, yet secured only one senior title with the national team, the Confederations Cup in 2013.

He appeared in four World Cups and ends his international career with an impressive 80 goals and 58 assists across 130 caps.