FIFA World Cup: 981 days in injury exile, Neymar brought to tears on Brazil return
Brazil samba-ed their way into the knockouts of the FIFA World Cup with a statement 3-0 win against Scotland. Neymar Jr. walked into the pitch for the national team after an injury-exile of 981 days.
An emotional Neymar Jr. was brought to tears in his first appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute of Brazil's opening game. The moment felt bigger than a routine substitution. For a player who once carried the expectations of becoming football's next global torchbearer after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, simply stepping back onto the World Cup stage felt like a victory in itself.
Once projected as the natural heir to football's greatest era, Neymar's career has instead become a story of interruptions. Injuries repeatedly arrived at the worst possible moments, breaking rhythm, slowing momentum, and gradually pushing him away from the centre of the footballing world.
A totemic figure in Brazil and one of the most recognisable athletes of his generation, Neymar received a reception that reflected just how much he still means to his country. As he rose from the bench and prepared to enter the match in Miami, the crowd stood to applaud. The ovation appeared to overwhelm the forward, who was visibly emotional before stepping onto the pitch for his fourth FIFA World Cup campaign.
The moment carried extra weight because there was a time when even this return seemed uncertain.
Injuries forced Neymar's career onto a path few would have imagined a decade ago - first away from European football to Saudi Arabia, and eventually back to Brazil. Across club and international football, he spent long stretches on the sidelines over the last three years, missing more than 100 matches and watching major moments pass him by.
But after 981 days away from the Selecao, Neymar finally returned as Brazil eased to a 3-0 win over Scotland.
His comeback arrived only days after Brazil's president mocked him by calling him a "work-from-home footballer" while questioning his lengthy absence due to a calf injury. The 34-year-old responded in the simplest way possible - by putting the boots back on and walking out in yellow and green once again.
NEYMAR MOMENT IN THE WORLD CUP 2026
The match against the Scots was already clearly won when coach Carlo Ancelotti finally gave him the nod to replace Matheus Cunha up front in the 76th minute, triggering another huge ovation from the Brazilian fans.
As well as his prodigious skill, Neymar is Brazil's most prolific international goalscorer, having found the net 79 times for his country in 129 matches over 16 years since his debut in 2010.
BRASIL vs SCOTLAND: AS IT HAPPENED
Scotland boss Steve Clarke had predicted Brazil would attack from the outset and the South Americans needed seven minutes to prove him right and go 1-0 up when Scott McKenna failed to clear the ball, allowing Rayan to nick it and find Vinicius unmarked.
As goalkeeper Angus Gunn scrambled to stop him, the Real Madrid forward simply took one touch to move the ball past him and tap it into an empty net as the fans in yellow erupted.
Brazil nearly made it 2-0 before the first hydration break when Vinicius nicked the ball off Jack Hendry to score, but Scotland earned a reprieve after a VAR check and the goal was overturned for a foul by the Brazilian.
That remained the theme in the first half, with Brazil being more combative while Scotland failed to capitalise on set-pieces as they finished the half with no shots on target.
Brazil twisted the knife on the stroke of halftime, winning the ball high up the pitch before Bruno Guimaraes crossed to the far post, where a grateful Vinicius headed home his second.
The two-goal cushion unleashed Brazil's full repertoire of tricks as they sliced through Scotland's midfield with flicks and one-touch passes that left Clarke's side looking relieved when the halftime whistle blew.
Brazil pressed for a third goal and it came with another scything move through the midfield as Guimaraes grabbed his second assist, dancing into the box before setting up Matheus Cunha for his third goal of the tournament.
"It's a dream come true. The first match was tough, the second was better, and now it's even better," Cunha said.
"I believe we're improving and we're going all out to achieve our goal - to win our sixth title."
Scotland finally tested Alisson for the first time in the 64th minute when the goalkeeper parried a header but a roar of approval from the Tartan Army was quickly drowned out by the Brazilian fans singing in unison.
But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Neymar as Ancelotti brought on the 34-year-old who looked to combine with Vinicius, creating three chances in 13 minutes.
Scotland's attacking efforts remained toothless and Alisson remained a rock in goal, denying them one last chance in the dying minutes as Brazil kept a clean sheet.
"We gave them the goals, we gave them the game we wanted. We're disappointed," Clarke said.
The result leaves Scotland waiting to see if they can qualify as one of the best third-placed sides with three points but a damaging goal difference of minus-three.
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An emotional Neymar Jr. was brought to tears in his first appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute of Brazil's opening game. The moment felt bigger than a routine substitution. For a player who once carried the expectations of becoming football's next global torchbearer after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, simply stepping back onto the World Cup stage felt like a victory in itself.
Once projected as the natural heir to football's greatest era, Neymar's career has instead become a story of interruptions. Injuries repeatedly arrived at the worst possible moments, breaking rhythm, slowing momentum, and gradually pushing him away from the centre of the footballing world.
A totemic figure in Brazil and one of the most recognisable athletes of his generation, Neymar received a reception that reflected just how much he still means to his country. As he rose from the bench and prepared to enter the match in Miami, the crowd stood to applaud. The ovation appeared to overwhelm the forward, who was visibly emotional before stepping onto the pitch for his fourth FIFA World Cup campaign.
The moment carried extra weight because there was a time when even this return seemed uncertain.
Injuries forced Neymar's career onto a path few would have imagined a decade ago - first away from European football to Saudi Arabia, and eventually back to Brazil. Across club and international football, he spent long stretches on the sidelines over the last three years, missing more than 100 matches and watching major moments pass him by.
But after 981 days away from the Selecao, Neymar finally returned as Brazil eased to a 3-0 win over Scotland.
His comeback arrived only days after Brazil's president mocked him by calling him a "work-from-home footballer" while questioning his lengthy absence due to a calf injury. The 34-year-old responded in the simplest way possible - by putting the boots back on and walking out in yellow and green once again.
NEYMAR MOMENT IN THE WORLD CUP 2026
The match against the Scots was already clearly won when coach Carlo Ancelotti finally gave him the nod to replace Matheus Cunha up front in the 76th minute, triggering another huge ovation from the Brazilian fans.
As well as his prodigious skill, Neymar is Brazil's most prolific international goalscorer, having found the net 79 times for his country in 129 matches over 16 years since his debut in 2010.
BRASIL vs SCOTLAND: AS IT HAPPENED
Scotland boss Steve Clarke had predicted Brazil would attack from the outset and the South Americans needed seven minutes to prove him right and go 1-0 up when Scott McKenna failed to clear the ball, allowing Rayan to nick it and find Vinicius unmarked.
As goalkeeper Angus Gunn scrambled to stop him, the Real Madrid forward simply took one touch to move the ball past him and tap it into an empty net as the fans in yellow erupted.
Brazil nearly made it 2-0 before the first hydration break when Vinicius nicked the ball off Jack Hendry to score, but Scotland earned a reprieve after a VAR check and the goal was overturned for a foul by the Brazilian.
That remained the theme in the first half, with Brazil being more combative while Scotland failed to capitalise on set-pieces as they finished the half with no shots on target.
Brazil twisted the knife on the stroke of halftime, winning the ball high up the pitch before Bruno Guimaraes crossed to the far post, where a grateful Vinicius headed home his second.
The two-goal cushion unleashed Brazil's full repertoire of tricks as they sliced through Scotland's midfield with flicks and one-touch passes that left Clarke's side looking relieved when the halftime whistle blew.
Brazil pressed for a third goal and it came with another scything move through the midfield as Guimaraes grabbed his second assist, dancing into the box before setting up Matheus Cunha for his third goal of the tournament.
"It's a dream come true. The first match was tough, the second was better, and now it's even better," Cunha said.
"I believe we're improving and we're going all out to achieve our goal - to win our sixth title."
Scotland finally tested Alisson for the first time in the 64th minute when the goalkeeper parried a header but a roar of approval from the Tartan Army was quickly drowned out by the Brazilian fans singing in unison.
But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Neymar as Ancelotti brought on the 34-year-old who looked to combine with Vinicius, creating three chances in 13 minutes.
Scotland's attacking efforts remained toothless and Alisson remained a rock in goal, denying them one last chance in the dying minutes as Brazil kept a clean sheet.
"We gave them the goals, we gave them the game we wanted. We're disappointed," Clarke said.
The result leaves Scotland waiting to see if they can qualify as one of the best third-placed sides with three points but a damaging goal difference of minus-three.
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