Neymar Breaks Down As Three-Year Brazil Exile Ends At FIFA World Cup 2026 | WATCH

Last Updated:June 25, 2026, 10:03 IST

Neymar fought back tears after making his first Brazil appearance in nearly three years, completing an emotional return as the Selecao beat Scotland 3-0.

Neymar Jr. could not hold back the tears.

When the Brazil superstar stepped onto the pitch in the 76th minute of the Selecao’s 3-0 World Cup win over Scotland, it was far more than a routine substitution. It was the end of a long, painful road back to football’s biggest stage.

The 34-year-old replaced Matheus Cunha late in the game at Hard Rock Stadium and was greeted by a thunderous ovation from Brazil supporters.

Moments later, cameras caught an emotional Neymar wiping away tears as the significance of the occasion sank in.

Injuries repeatedly disrupted his momentum, denying him the consistency many believed would cement his place among the game’s all-time greats.

Wednesday’s appearance was Neymar’s first match for Brazil since October 2023. Since then, he has endured a brutal spell of setbacks, including multiple knee surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation periods that kept him away from international football.

His most recent setback arrived on May 17, when he suffered a Grade 2 tear in his right calf while playing for Santos against Coritiba in the Brazilian Serie A. The injury sidelined him for more than a month and reignited doubts about whether he could still contribute at the highest level.

Yet Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti remained confident — and the veteran forward rewarded that faith by making his long-awaited return.

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Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His...Read More

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