In September 2009, Souza was called up for the first time to the senior national team, by coach Dunga for a game against Chile in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. He made his debut against Bolivia on 11 October in another qualifier, being replaced at half time by Alex Raphael Meschini in a 2–1 loss in La Paz; it was the nation's first defeat in 16 months. He did not return to the team until 28 September 2011, when he came on as a 68th-minute substitute for Lucas Moura in a 2–0 win over Argentina in the Superclásico de las Américas.