Neymar marked his long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup by scoring two of the most exclusive milestones 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 different World Cup tournaments and only the second to wear Brazil’s iconic number 10 jersey in four editions of the competition.The performance ended more than three years of 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 FIFA World Cup history dates 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 his first appearance at the tournament in 2026.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 nation’s most famous shirt at four separate editions of the World Cup.
Brazil secure first place before Neymar returns
Brazil went into the final game of Group C needing at least a draw to guarantee top spot, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side quickly dispelled 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. Matheus Cunha completed the victory in the 60th minute after a sharp through ball by 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, replacing Cunha, to a standing ovation from the Miami crowd.The substitution marked Neymar’s first appearance at the World Cup since Qatar 2022 and his first international game since recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for a long time before a recent calf problem delayed his participation in the tournament.
A sharp return offers Brazil another attacking option
Although Neymar only played 15 minutes, he looked comfortable and composed in his familiar No.10 role.He completed 13 of his 14 passes for a 92 percent passing accuracy, created two chances, had one shot on goal and was fouled without any visible signs of discomfort. One of his most promising moments came after his free-kick bounced back into his path, allowing him to score first-time from distance, although Angus Gunn collected 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, Fla., 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 Brazil shirt again on football’s biggest stage.More importantly for Brazil, Neymar finished the match without any physical setbacks after missing the first 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 passage to the last 16 as group winners.With Neymar now back on form and Vinícius Júnior leading the tournament with another outstanding performance, Carlo Ancelotti heads into the knockout round with the biggest attacking options Brazil have had since the start of the competition.
