Neymar equals Pelé in one of the rarest World Cup feats in Brazil after historic comeback against Scotland

Brazil’s Neymar (10) celebrates after the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Florida, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Neymar marked his long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup by achieving two of the most exclusive milestones in Brazilian football history during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland. The 34-year-old, who came off the bench in the second half at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, became only the fourth Brazilian player to appear in four different World Cup tournaments and only the second to wear Brazil’s iconic number 10 shirt in four editions of the competition.The performance ended a more than three-year absence from the World Cup stage. Neymar has 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 dates back to 1930, yet only four players have represented the Seleção in four different editions of the tournament.Neymar now joins Pele (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970), Djalma Santos (1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966) and Caf (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006) in this select group after making their first appearance at the 2026 tournament.His return also carried another piece of history. Wearing Brazil’s famous number 10 shirt at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups, Neymar became only the second Brazilian, after Pelé, to wear the country’s most famous shirt in four separate editions of the World Cup.

Brazil have secured top spot before Neymar returns

Brazil went into the final match of Group C needing at least a draw to secure top spot, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side quickly removed any uncertainty.Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a defensive error to open the scoring in the seventh minute before adding a second with a powerful header in first-half stoppage time. The victory was completed in the 60th minute by Matheus Cunha, who was freed by a penetrating ball from Bruno Guimarães.

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 to replace Cunha to thunderous applause from the Miami crowd.The substitution marked Neymar’s first appearance at the World Cup since Qatar 2022 and his first international match since recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for an extended period before his participation in the tournament was delayed by recent calf problems.

A sharp return offers Brazil another attacking option

Although Neymar only played 15 minutes, he looked comfortable and composed in his familiar number 10 role.He completed 13 of his 14 passes with 92 percent pass accuracy, created two chances, created one shot on goal and drew a foul without showing any signs of discomfort. One of his most promising moments came after his own free-kick was deflected back into his path, allowing him to strike first time from distance, although Angus Gunn collected comfortably.

Brazil’s Neymar (10) battles 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)

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 to pull on the Brazil shirt again on football’s biggest stage.More importantly for Brazil, Neymar finished the match without any physical impediments after missing the opening two group stage matches.Brazil finished Group C unbeaten with seven points after a draw against Morocco and wins over Haiti and Scotland, securing their place in the round of 32 as group winners.With Neymar now fit again and Vinícius Júnior leading the tournament with another excellent display, Carlo Ancelotti goes into the knockout stages with the deepest attacking options Brazil have had since the start of the competition.