Neymar marked his long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup by achieving two of the most exclusive goals in Brazilian football history during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland. Coming off the bench in the second half at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, the 34-year-old became only the fourth Brazilian player to appear in four World Cup tournaments and only the second to wear Brazil’s iconic No. 10 shirt in four editions of the competition.The appearance ended an absence of more than three years from the World Cup stage. Neymar had not featured since Brazil’s quarter-final defeat to Croatia on 9 December 2022, while his last international appearance came on 17 October 2023, when he suffered a serious knee injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Neymar joins one of Brazil’s most exclusive World Cup rosters
Brazil’s rich World Cup history stretches back to 1930, but only four players have represented the Seleção in four different editions of the tournament.Neymar now joins Pelé (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970), Djalma Santos (1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966) and Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006) in that select group after making their first appearance at the 2026 tournament.His return also brought another piece of history. Wearing Brazil’s famous No. 10 shirt at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, Neymar became only the second Brazilian after Pelé to wear the nation’s most celebrated shirt in four separate editions of the World Cup.
Brazil secured top spot before Neymar’s return
Brazil went into the final Group C game needing at least a draw to secure top spot, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side quickly swept away any uncertainty.Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a defensive mistake to open the scoring in the seventh minute before adding a second with a powerful header in first-half stoppage time. Matheus Cunha completed the victory in the 60th minute after being released by an incisive Bruno Guimarães through ball.
Brazil’s Neymar (10) reacts as he takes the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
With the result effectively secured, Ancelotti introduced Neymar in the 76th minute, replacing Cunha to a standing ovation from the Miami crowd.The substitution represented Neymar’s first appearance at the World Cup since Qatar 2022 and his first international match since recovering from the knee injury that kept him out for a long period before a recent calf problem delayed his participation in this tournament.
Sharp’s return offers Brazil another attacking option
Although Neymar only played 15 minutes, he looked comfortable and composed operating in his familiar No. 10 roles.He completed 13 of his 14 passes for a pass accuracy of 92 percent, created two chances, produced a shot on target and drew a foul without showing any visible signs of discomfort. One of his most promising moments came after his own free-kick bounced into his path, allowing him to strike first from distance, although Angus Gunn gathered comfortably.
Brazil’s Neymar (10) challenges for the ball with Scotland’s Kenny McLean (23) and Lewis Ferguson (19) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Neymar reflected on his return to the World Cup stage, describing it as “one of the most special days” of his career as he wore the Brazilian shirt again on football’s biggest stage.More importantly for Brazil, Neymar finished the match without any physical contact after missing the opening two games of the group stage.Brazil finished Group C unbeaten with seven points after a draw against Morocco and wins over Haiti and Scotland, securing progression to the Round of 32 as group winners.With Neymar returning to form and Vinícius Júnior leading the tournament with another outstanding performance, Carlo Ancelotti heads into the knockout rounds with the deepest attacking options Brazil have possessed since the start of the competition.
