Published on 6/25/2026
|
Last update: 07:59 (Mecca time)
Veteran Brazilian striker Neymar participated in his anticipated first appearance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, when he came on as a substitute in the second half during his country’s match against Scotland in Miami in the third group competitions in the third round of the first round.
The Seleção’s all-time top scorer (79 goals), whose last international appearance dates back to October 2023, entered in the 76th minute of the match, when the Brazilian national team was leading 3-0.
Read also
list of 2 itemsend of list
The former star of Barcelona, Spain, and Paris Saint-Germain, 34 years old, was called to the squad in the last moments of the tournament, after he was absent due to an injury in his right calf. The entry of the Santos top scorer, replacing Matheus Cunha, was met with warm applause from the fans.
The Italian coach of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti, said on Tuesday: “He can play, he is fine, and he trained very well. I am very happy with him.”
His last participation in the jersey of the five-time world champions dates back to October 17, 2023, when he suffered a serious injury to his left knee against Uruguay that kept him out of the field for many months.
Since his return to Santos, his parent club, he has suffered from several physical problems, although he remains very popular in Brazil.
This is Neymar’s fourth participation in the World Cup finals. He considered that the 2026 edition, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, would be his last.
Neymar said in a documentary about the Brazilian national team that has been shown in his country since the beginning of the tournament: “I am here like a child, an eighteen-year-old young man participating in his first World Cup.”
Neymar has participated in all editions of the World Cup since 2014, but the five-time world champions have not won the title since their last coronation in 2002. His best result remains in the 2014 edition on home soil when he reached the semi-finals, where the journey ended with a shocking loss to Germany (7-1), a match that Neymar missed.
