Neymar made his first Brazil look since 2023 because the Selecao beat Scotland 3-0 on the World Cup on Wednesday night.
Neymar, 34, is his nation’s all-time file goalscorer with 79 targets in 129 caps, however he hadn’t featured since a World Cup qualifying defeat by Uruguay on 17 October, 2023.
Throughout that recreation, the ahead ruptured the ACL and meniscus in his left knee, sparking a torrid few years with accidents.
He was a shock call-up by Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti for his World Cup squad, and having missed their first two group video games with a calf subject, Neymar was obtainable for the Scotland conflict.
Within the 76th-minute of the match, he was then launched off the bench for Matheus Cunha together with his facet 3-0 up.
Neymar acquired an exquisite reception from followers contained in the stadium and his first few touches on the ball have been cheered loudly.
Brazilian icon Neymar made his return to worldwide soccer on the World Cup vs Scotland
Neymar got here off the bench late on, nearly three years after successful his earlier Brazil cap
It meant that the 34-year-old has now performed for his nation at 4 World Cups, and though he was unable to influence the sport an excessive amount of, he was instantly taking Brazil’s set-pieces.
At full-time, Neymar then broke down in tears as he saluted these in attendance at Miami Stadium.
His inclusion in Ancelotti’s group for the match was well-received by followers, though some onlookers have been left shocked given Neymar’s current profession historical past.
The unique knee harm got here proper in the beginning of his time in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, and in the end resulted in his contract being terminated in January 2025 as he struggled to return to health, making simply seven appearances over 18 months.
Neymar returned to his boyhood membership Santos in Brazil later that month and has since scored 17 targets and added eight assists in 43 appearances.
Nonetheless, he has been stricken by health troubles and Santos have tended to battle across the decrease reaches of the Brazilian prime flight throughout that point.
His call-up additionally got here on the expense of Chelsea ahead Joao Pedro, who loved a vastly spectacular season within the Premier League in 2025-26.
When explaining the choice to incorporate him, Ancelotti mentioned: ‘We spent your entire yr analysing Neymar.
‘We realised that on this final interval he had continuity and was in good bodily situation.’
He added: ‘I acquired loads of recommendation. Loads! From journalists and singers… from everywhere in the world.
‘The work executed by the employees over the previous yr has been excellent, nicely executed, with competence, character, and competitiveness as nicely. I’ve all of the potential data wanted to make a squad checklist with fewer errors.’
Neymar final performed for Brazil in a World Cup qualifying defeat by Uruguay in October 2023 when he suffered a severe knee harm
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Ought to Neymar’s emotional return to Brazil’s squad encourage religion or concern about their World Cup possibilities?
Earlier than he had introduced his group, Ancelotti had additionally outlined the deserves of together with Neymar.
‘Neymar is a vital participant for this nation due to the expertise he has at all times proven,’ Ancelotti defined. ‘He’s very well-liked, he’s very a lot beloved.
‘I believe it’s regular for the gamers to specific their opinion… his health has improved. He can preserve a excessive depth in a match.’
Brazil’s comfy victory over Scotland means they progress to the last-32 as Group C winners the place they’ll face the staff that comes second in Group F, which may very well be Japan, the Netherlands or Sweden.
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