Neymar admitted he was overcome with emotion after making his long-awaited return to the Brazil national team on Wednesday, revealing he retreated to the dressing room and shed tears alone following his first international appearance in 981 days.
The 34-year-old forward returned to action during Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Scotland in their final Group C match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming off the bench in the second half as the five-time world champions secured top spot in the group.
For Neymar, the appearance represented the end of a difficult and uncertain chapter that began in October 2023 when he suffered a serious knee injury while on international duty. The setback kept him out of action for an extended period and raised questions about whether he would ever return to his previous level.
His road back to the national team was further complicated by recurring fitness problems. A calf injury suffered last month forced him to miss Brazil’s opening two matches of the tournament and threatened to delay his comeback even further.
When he finally entered the match against Scotland, the crowd inside the stadium greeted him with loud cheers and chants of his name, underscoring his enduring popularity among Brazilian supporters.
After the final whistle, Neymar acknowledged the emotional significance of the moment.
“I went to the locker room, all alone, and I shed a few tears,” Neymar told reporters.
“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.”
The appearance marked Neymar’s first match for Brazil since 2023 and his fourth World Cup participation overall. Despite missing a significant period through injury, he remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals.
His World Cup record now includes eight goals and four assists across tournaments dating back to 2014, a testament to his long-standing importance to the national team.
Neymar acknowledged that the squad he rejoined in Miami felt noticeably different from the one he left nearly three years ago.
“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 entered the tournament as one of the favorites and has largely justified those expectations through the group stage. The victory over Scotland completed an unbeaten opening-round campaign and ensured the Seleção advanced as Group C winners.
Although Neymar played only a limited role after entering in the second half, his presence alone provided a significant boost for both teammates and supporters. Coaches and players have repeatedly emphasized his experience and leadership, qualities that could become increasingly valuable as the tournament moves into the knockout rounds.
Brazil’s medical staff had carefully managed his recovery throughout the competition, unwilling to take unnecessary risks with a player who has endured several injury setbacks during the latter stages of his career.
His successful return now offers optimism that he could play a more influential role in the matches ahead.
The timing could be important for a Brazil side seeking to end a 24-year wait for another World Cup title. The team has looked balanced throughout the group stage, combining attacking quality with defensive stability, and now adds a fully available Neymar to an already talented squad.
Brazil will continue its campaign on Monday in Houston, where it will face the runner-up from Group F in the Round of 32.
For Neymar, however, the significance of Wednesday’s match extended far beyond the result.
After nearly three years away from international football, countless rehabilitation sessions and fresh injury concerns that threatened to derail his comeback, simply stepping onto the field in a World Cup once again was enough to trigger an emotional release.
The tears he shed in the dressing room reflected not only relief but also the completion of a journey that at one stage appeared uncertain.
Now back on football’s biggest stage, Neymar has another opportunity to help lead Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup crown.
