Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. has fuelled hopes of a long-awaited return to FIFA World Cup action after sharing images from training ahead of Brazil’s crucial Group C match against Scotland.
The 34-year-old forward posted a series of photographs from a recent training session on X, accompanied by a heartfelt message that immediately caught the attention of football fans around the world.
“Thank you, my God. So incredibly happy!!” Neymar wrote, signalling that his recovery from injury is progressing well.
The post has been viewed as the strongest indication yet that Brazil’s iconic No. 10 is nearing a return to competitive action after missing the opening stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Gratidão meu Deus 🙏🏼 feliz demais!! pic.twitter.com/YUSTjJsgHT
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) June 21, 2026
Neymar Nearing Full Fitness After Injury Setback
Neymar has been sidelined with a calf injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s first two matches at the tournament being held across North America.
The Selecao began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco before bouncing back emphatically with a 3-0 victory over Haiti. The win moved Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the top of Group C and placed them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout rounds.
While the rest of the squad travelled to Philadelphia for the Haiti fixture, Neymar remained at Brazil’s training base in New Jersey, where he continued an individual rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the team’s medical staff.
Over the weekend, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star stepped up his recovery by returning to on-field training. He participated in physical conditioning exercises and ball drills, marking another important milestone in his comeback process.
Carlo Ancelotti Provides Positive Update
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has offered encouraging news regarding Neymar’s condition and suggested that the forward could soon be available for selection.
Speaking after Brazil’s victory over Haiti, the Italian manager confirmed that Neymar was close to rejoining full team training.
“Neymar will be training tomorrow individually and on Monday he’s going to be training with the rest of the team. He will be available for the match against Scotland,” Ancelotti said.
The update has significantly boosted optimism among Brazilian supporters, who are eager to see their talisman return as the tournament enters a decisive phase.
First Brazil Appearance Since 2023 Could Be On The Horizon
If Neymar features against Scotland, it would mark his first appearance for Brazil since October 2023.
The veteran forward suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, an injury that sidelined him for an extended period and disrupted his international career.
The ACL setback forced Neymar to miss a significant portion of Brazil’s qualification campaign and raised questions about whether he would be able to compete at another World Cup.
His potential return against Scotland would therefore represent a major personal milestone as well as a significant boost for the Brazilian national team.
Fourth World Cup Appearance For Neymar
The ongoing tournament marks Neymar’s fourth FIFA World Cup campaign.
The Brazilian star previously represented his country at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions of the competition, playing a key role in each tournament.
Despite recurring injury concerns in recent years, Neymar continued to demonstrate his importance to the national side whenever available.
During the World Cup qualification campaign, he registered two goals and three assists in just four appearances, underlining his ability to influence games even with limited playing time.
Brazil Eye Knockout Qualification
Brazil currently sit atop Group C following their draw against Morocco and victory over Haiti.
A positive result against Scotland would secure their place in the knockout rounds and potentially allow Ancelotti’s side to finish the group stage as table-toppers.
The prospect of welcoming Neymar back into the squad ahead of the crucial encounter could provide a major psychological and tactical advantage.
With Vinicius Jr., Matheus Cunha and several other attacking stars already performing strongly, Neymar’s return would add another dimension to Brazil’s attack as they look to mount a serious challenge for a sixth World Cup title.
For now, all eyes remain on the team’s final training sessions, where Neymar’s fitness will be closely monitored ahead of what could be one of the most anticipated comebacks of FIFA World Cup 2026.