Neymar is set to play for Brazil on Wednesday against Scotland for the first time in almost three years.
The Santos forward missed Brazil’s first two games against Haiti and Morocco, respectively, because he was recovering from a calf injury.
Brazil head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced that Neymar will be called up for his side’s final group game against Scotland.
Speaking after Brazil defeated Haiti, Ancelotti said of Neymar at his post-match interview, “Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then Sunday back training with the team and then called up against Scotland.”
DAILY POST reports that Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer in the national team so far with 79 goals.
Many criticized Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s World Cup squad and, by extension, also criticized Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti for his decision, while few were pleased with the player’s return to the team.
One major issue is that the last time Neymar played for Brazil was in October 2023 against Uruguay.
The Seleção lost 2-0 against Uruguay in the World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Centenario, where Neymar unfortunately suffered a torn ACL and meniscus.
Neymar then made his official return to competitive football on October 21, 2024, playing for Al-Hilal in an Asian Champions League match against Al-Ain.
This marked his return exactly 369 days after rupturing his ACL and tearing his meniscus in his left knee against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier on October 17, 2023.
In 2025, Neymar underwent successful knee surgery while playing for Santos to fix a damaged meniscus.
