Brazil’s Neymar said he went to the dressing room and shed some tears alone after returning to the squad after a 981-day break in the second half of Wednesday’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland in Miami. The 34-year-old last played for Brazil in 2023.
He suffered a serious knee injury in October that year and has struggled to maintain his form since. Initially there were doubts about Brazil’s inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Neymar then suffered a calf injury last month, ruling him out of Brazil’s first two games in the tournament. But he eventually made his international comeback against Scotland as the fans chanted his name.
“I went to the dressing room all alone and shed a few tears,” Neymar told reporters after Brazil finished top of Group C.
«It’s a huge relief to experience it all again. It’s a moment of gratitude. I thank God for allowing me to experience this again.»
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Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, has now appeared in four World Cups since 2014, with eight goals and four assists in tournaments.
“I had been away for a long time, so it’s a different team now, I’m looking at it with fresh eyes,” he said.
“But I am very happy that after so many years I can come back and play in a World Cup and defend the Brazilian national team.”
Brazil will play against the number two of Group F in Houston on Monday.
Published on June 25, 2026
