Neymar came on as a second-half substitute in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Brazil’s Neymar said he went to the dressing room and shed some ​tears alone following his return to the side ‌after a gap of 981 days, coming ​on in the second half during ⁠Wednesday’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland in Miami. The 34-year-old last featured for Brazil in ‌2023.

He suffered a serious knee injury in October that year and has ‌struggled to maintain his form since ‌then. ⁠He was initially a doubt for ⁠inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

Neymar then suffered a calf injury last month that ruled him out of ​Brazil’s first two ‌matches in the tournament. But he finally made his international comeback against Scotland, with the fans chanting his name.

“I went to ‌the locker room, all alone, and I ​shed a few tears,” Neymar told reporters after Brazil finished top of ⁠Group C.

“It’s an immense relief to relive all this. It’s a moment of gratitude. I ‌thank God for being able to experience this again.”

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Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, Neymar has now appeared in four World Cups, with eight goals and four assists in tournaments since 2014.

“I had been away ‌for a long time so it’s a different team ​now, I see it with fresh eyes,” he said.

“But I’m very happy to ⁠have been able to come back and play ⁠in a World Cup and defend the Brazilian national team after so many ‌years.”

Brazil will play the runners-up in Group F in their second-round clash in ​Houston on Monday.

Published on Jun 25, 2026