Overview
- Neymar ended a 981-day absence when he came on as a 76th-minute substitute in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland on Wednesday.
- The 34-year-old said he went to the locker room and cried alone after the match and later posted “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE” on social media.
- His long layoff followed a serious ACL and meniscus knee injury in October 2023 and a grade-2 calf strain in mid-May 2026, and Brazil’s medical team used scans, anti-gravity treadmill work and load management during rehab.
- Carlo Ancelotti defended keeping Neymar in the 26-man squad, praised his professionalism, and said staff will monitor fitness and minutes rather than return him to a starting role immediately.
- Brazil finished top of Group C and will play the Group F runner-up in Houston on Monday, with Neymar available as a managed substitute for the knockout phase.