Neymar returns to Brazil squad, bolstering World Cup push

Brazil’s star forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior re‑entered the national team after a 981‑day injury lay‑off, coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute of Brazil’s 3‑0 victory over Scotland in Miami. His brief appearance helped create a chance for teammate Vinícius Júnior and secured Brazil’s top spot in Group C of the FIFA World Cup.

The comeback, celebrated by fans and praised by coach Carlos Ancelotti, also generated social‑media buzz as Neymar posted a photo with his long‑time friend and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who had recently won the Barcelona Grand Prix for Ferrari. Neymar expressed mixed emotions about his return but said he felt ready after 25 days of training, while Vinícius called him the team’s favorite player.

Brazil now looks to advance to the knockout stage with heightened expectations after the dominant group‑stage performance.