World Cup: 981 days in injury exile, Neymar in tears on Brazil return

Emotional Neymar Jr. was reduced to tears in his first appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in Brazil’s opening match. That moment felt bigger than a routine shift. For a player who once carried the expectation of becoming the next global soccer torchbearer after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, simply stepping back onto the World Cup stage felt like a victory in itself.

Neymar’s career, once projected as the natural heir to football’s greatest era, has instead become a story of interruption. Injuries repeatedly came at the worst possible moments, disrupting the rhythm, slowing down the dynamics and gradually pushing him out of the center of the football world.

Neymar, a totemic figure in Brazil and one of the most respected athletes of his generation, received a reception that reflected how much he still means to his country. The crowd stood and applauded as he came off the bench to prepare for the game in Miami. The ovation appeared to overwhelm the striker, who was visibly emotional before taking to the pitch for his fourth World Cup campaign.

That moment had a special weight because there were times when even this return seemed uncertain.

Injuries have forced Neymar’s career down a path few could have imagined ten years ago – first away from European football to Saudi Arabia and finally back to Brazil. Across club and international football, he has spent long stretches on the sidelines over the past three years, missing more than 100 games and watching important moments pass him by.

But after 981 days away from the Selecao, Neymar finally returned as Brazil eased to a 3-0 win over Scotland.

His comeback came just days after Brazil’s president mocked him by calling him a “footballer working from home” while questioning his long absence with a calf injury. The 34-year-old reacted in the simplest possible way – putting on his boots and re-emerging in yellow and green.

NEYMAR MOMENT AT WORLD CUP 2026

The game against the Scots was already clearly won when coach Carlo Ancelotti finally instructed him to replace Matheus Cunha in the 76th minute, prompting another huge ovation from the Brazilian fans.

In addition to his prodigious skills, Neymar is Brazil’s most prolific international goalscorer, finding the net 79 times for his country in 129 games in the 16 years since his debut in 2010.

BRAZIL vs. SCOTLAND: HOW IT HAPPENED

Scotland coach Steve Clarke predicted Brazil would attack from the start and the South Americans needed seven minutes to prove him right and go 1-0 up when Scott McKenna failed to clear the ball, allowing Ryan to cut through to find Vinicius unmarked.

With goalkeeper Angus Gunn struggling to stop him, the Real Madrid striker simply took one touch to move the ball past him and tap it into the empty net as the yellow fans erupted.

Brazil almost made it 2-0 before the first hydration break when Vinicius clipped the ball to Jack Hendry to score, but Scotland earned a reprieve after a VAR review and the goal was disallowed for a foul on the Brazilian.

That remained the theme of the first half, with Brazil more combative while Scotland failed to capitalize on set pieces as they finished the half without a shot on target.

Brazil twisted the knife on the stroke of half-time and won the ball high up the pitch before Bruno Guimaraes crossed to the far post where a grateful Vinicius headed in a second.

The two-goal cushion unleashed Brazil’s full repertoire of tricks as they cut through Scotland’s midfield with swing and one-touch passes that left Clarke relieved when the half-time whistle blew.

Brazil pushed for a third goal and it came with another sharp move through midfield as Guimaraes claimed the second assist, dancing into the box before setting up Matheus Cunha for his third goal of the tournament.

“It’s a dream come true. The first match was tough, the second one was better and now it’s even better,” Cunha said.

“I believe we are improving and going all out to achieve our goal – to win our sixth title.”

Scotland finally tested Alisson for the first time in the 64th minute when the keeper saved a header, but the roar of approval from the tartan army quickly drowned out the unified chant of the Brazilian fans.

But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Neymar as Ancelotti brought on the 34-year-old to combine with Vinicius and create three chances in 13 minutes.

Scotland’s attacking efforts were left toothless and Alisson remained a rock in goal to deny them a final chance in the closing minutes as Brazil kept a clean sheet.

“We gave them the goals, we gave them the game we wanted. We’re disappointed,” Clarke said.

The result leaves Scotland waiting to see if they can qualify as one of the top teams in third place with three points but a damaging difference of minus three goals.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

Jun 25, 2026 07:54 IST