Neymar Jr. stood on the pitch at full time, tears streaming down his face. It had been 981 days since he last wore the Seleção jersey.
The Brazilian forward made his long-awaited return to the national team during a FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Scotland. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had confirmed ahead of the match that Neymar was fully available following his recovery from a calf injury.
The long road back
Neymar’s absence wasn’t caused by one injury. It was a cascade of them, including calf problems and knee issues, the sort of recovery timeline that tests mental resilience as much as physical durability.
Ancelotti’s decision to include him in the squad for the Scotland match signaled confidence that Neymar’s body could handle the demands of competitive international football again.
