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Brazilian football icon Neymar made an emotional comeback for his national team as the Selecao defeated Scotland 3-0 in their final group-stage match at the 2026 World Cup.

Neymar, who had last represented Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, was initially a somewhat unexpected inclusion in the squad for this tournament. The forward missed Brazil’s first two matches due to a calf injury but managed to recover in time for the concluding Group C fixture.

The 34-year-old was named on the bench and entered the field in the 76th minute, replacing Matheus Cunha, with Brazil already comfortably leading 3-0. His appearance marked his 129th cap for the national team, and he was visibly moved as he stepped onto the pitch at Miami Stadium.

During his brief appearance, Neymar was seen wiping away tears, overwhelmed by the moment. At the final whistle, he shared heartfelt embraces with teammates and family members who were in attendance.

Although Neymar remains a revered figure in Brazilian football, he currently plays for Santos in his home country, where his club narrowly escaped relegation last season. Despite being part of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad, he is not expected to play a major role in the starting lineup, which already includes attacking talents like Vini Jr., Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha.

Even so, Neymar looked lively during his short stint against Scotland and will hope to make further contributions now that he has returned to competitive action at the World Cup.

With this victory, Brazil finish at the top of Group C ahead of Morocco. The Selecao will next face the runner-up from Group F—comprising the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden—in Houston on Monday, 29 June.