Neymar made his return to the World Cup stage as a substitute for Brazil in their match against Scotland on Wednesday, marking his first appearance for the national team since 2023. The forward entered the game in the 76th minute, with Brazil already holding a 3-0 lead and on track to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
His participation was anticipated, as Brazil had indicated earlier in the week that he would be available. This cleared the way for his debut in the tournament after he missed the first two matches due to a right calf injury. The 34-year-old had been sidelined for over a month due to the injury.
Upon his entry, fans at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, erupted in cheers. The ovation grew louder as he prepared to come on and again when he made his first touch. This emotional return was acknowledged by Neymar himself, who expressed his happiness to be back in the national team jersey after a long absence.
Emotional return to the pitch
The moment was particularly significant for Neymar, who was visibly emotional before stepping onto the pitch for what is his fourth FIFA World Cup campaign. His return came after an injury-induced absence of 981 days from the national team. For a player whose career has been marked by interruptions due to injuries, simply returning to the World Cup stage was seen as a personal victory.
Vinícius Júnior, who scored two goals for Brazil in the match, highlighted the importance of Neymar’s return. He referred to Neymar as an “idol” who fought hard to be back after his injury. Vinícius Júnior expressed hope that Neymar would continue to improve and contribute to Brazil’s performance throughout the competition.
Neymar’s return was not a surprise, as Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously suggested the possibility of him playing as a substitute. Ancelotti had confirmed earlier in the week that Neymar was fit and ready to play after training well. Neymar also stated that he felt physically well and could play for an extended period if needed.
The match against Scotland saw Brazil secure a 3-0 victory. Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring early in the game. He then added a second goal just before halftime. The third goal for Brazil came from Matheus Cunha, who scored his third goal of the tournament. Scotland’s attacking efforts were largely contained, with goalkeeper Alisson making a key save in the 64th minute.
Neymar’s career has seen him become Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 130 international appearances. He has also scored eight goals across his previous three World Cup appearances. His role in the national team has been a frequent topic of discussion among fans, especially after struggling since tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier. This season, he has scored four goals in eight matches for Brazilian club Santos.
The match against Scotland was already decided when Neymar replaced Matheus Cunha. Despite the scoreline, his introduction generated significant excitement among the fans. He combined with Vinícius Júnior, creating three chances in 13 minutes on the field. Scotland coach Steve Clarke expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, noting that they had given away goals.
Scotland’s fate in the tournament now depends on their standing as one of the best third-placed teams, with three points and a goal difference of minus-three. For Brazil, Neymar’s return signals a boost as they head into the knockout stages of the competition, which are scheduled to begin next week.
Neymar was among the last players to disembark Brazil’s bus on Wednesday, acknowledging well-wishers as he made his way into Hard Rock Stadium.
Source: apnews.com
