Neymar makes his much-anticipated World Cup debut as a substitute for Brazil against Scotland. Get the latest on Brazil’s preparations for the knockout rounds.
Neymar has made his first appearance in this World Cup, coming on as a substitute for Brazil in their match against Scotland. His return comes as Brazil prepares for the knockout rounds of the tournament.
The forward entered the game in the 76th minute during Wednesday’s match, with Brazil already holding a 3-0 lead. This scoreline ultimately secured their victory and a spot in the knockout stage, which is scheduled to begin next week. Vinícius Júnior, who scored two goals in the match, expressed the team’s sentiment, stating in Portuguese, “Our idol is back, a guy who always fought hard and did everything to be here, returning after a spell out with injury.” He added his hope that Neymar would continue to evolve and improve, helping the team throughout the competition.
Neymar’s Return After Injury
Neymar’s appearance was anticipated, as Brazil had indicated earlier in the week that he would be available. He had missed the first two matches of the tournament due to a right calf injury. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously suggested the possibility of Neymar playing as a substitute, and this plan came to fruition.
Fans at Hard Rock Stadium reacted with roars of approval when Neymar began his warm-up sprints and stretches along the sideline in the second half. The cheers intensified upon his entry into the game and with his first touch of the ball. Ancelotti had confirmed on Tuesday that Neymar was fit and ready to play, highlighting his quality as a player.
The calf injury had kept Neymar sidelined for over a month. He completed a training session on Sunday, which was a final step before his return to the World Cup. This injury was sustained on May 17 while playing for Santos in a 3-0 defeat against Coritiba.
Motivational Message and Career Context
Ahead of his return, Neymar’s father shared a motivational video on social media. The post, on Neymar Senior’s Instagram account, featured a clip of Neymar delivering a speech to teammates, recalling his father’s advice: “Son, run, dedicate yourself, play as if it were the last game of your life.” This message was shared hours before Brazil’s third-round World Cup group-stage fixture against Scotland.
The video, which dates back to the Kings League Brazil final at the Allianz Parque in May 2025, also included a montage of Neymar’s career highlights with the national team. These moments included his goal against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.
Neymar, at 34 years old, is Brazil’s career scoring leader with 79 goals in 130 international appearances. He has participated in the past three World Cups for Brazil, scoring eight goals. His role in the team has been a frequent topic of discussion among fans, especially since he tore 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 Santos.
Brazil currently leads Group C with four points, following a 1-1 draw against Morocco and a 3-0 victory over Haiti. Scotland is in third place with three points, having secured a 1-0 win against Haiti before a defeat by the same scoreline to Morocco, who are level on points with Brazil. Neymar has made 13 World Cup appearances in his career, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
Source: apnews.com
