Brazil forward Neymar took a break from his FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign to celebrate a special family occasion. The Santos star shared an emotional message for his daughter Helena as she turned two years old.
The Brazilian footballer posted a heartfelt birthday wish on X, expressing his love and praying for her health, happiness and bright future.
Neymar’s Emotional Birthday Message
Neymar shared a touching note dedicated to his daughter Helena on her second birthday.
In his message, the Brazil international prayed for God’s blessings and promised to always support her.
“Helena’s 2 little years! May our Heavenly Father guide your paths and grant you lots of health so you can play more and more. I’ll always do everything I can to make you happy. Daddy loves you so much,” Neymar wrote on X.
The post quickly gained attention from football fans around the world, with many sending birthday wishes to Helena and praising Neymar’s heartfelt message.
Neymar Returns to Action for Brazil
While celebrating the family milestone, Neymar also continues to focus on Brazil’s FIFA World Cup campaign.
The 34-year-old made his first appearance of the tournament during Brazil’s final Group C match against Scotland.
Although he started the game on the bench, Neymar came on as a substitute in the closing stages as Brazil secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.
His return was significant because it marked his first competitive appearance for Brazil since October 2023.
Long Road Back After Serious Injury
Neymar spent a long period on the sidelines after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.
The injury ruled him out for several months and limited his involvement during Brazil’s World Cup qualification campaign.
He also recovered from a calf injury before returning to the national team at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
His appearance against Scotland marked an important step in his comeback.
Missed Round of 32 Victory
Despite returning to fitness, Neymar did not feature in Brazil’s Round of 32 match against Japan.
Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 to book their place in the Round of 16 without their star forward on the field.
The coaching staff appears to be managing his workload carefully as he continues his recovery.
Brazil Set for Tough Test Against Norway
Brazil will now face Norway in the Round of 16 in what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
The clash is expected to feature a fascinating battle against Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland.
The match will be played in New Jersey and is scheduled to begin at 1:30 AM IST on July 6.
Brazil will hope Neymar can play a bigger role as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending sixth FIFA World Cup title.