From injuries to controversy: Neymar’s 981-days away from the Brazil national team | OneFootball

After first making his debut at the age of 18 and amassing 129 appearances for his country (the second highest-ever) Neymar returned to the Brazilian national team against Scotland after 981 days.

Neymar’s career has been as admirable as it has been controversial. Injuries began to go hand in hand with the Brazilian star during his Barcelona days and have intensified in recent years.

Two years, eight months and seven days. That is how long the Santos player had to wait to feel the weight of the five-time world champions’ shirt again and it could hardly have happened on a bigger stage: the World Cup.

Injuries and the return to Brazilian football

We need to go back to 18 October 2023 to find the last time Neymar had stepped onto the pitch for Brazil. The 2-0 defeat to Uruguay was marked by the Brazilian star’s serious injury.

A devastating anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus rupture in the left knee. The recovery process was long and the number 10 would not step on a pitch again for more than a year. On 21 October 2024, Jorge Jesus brought the Brazilian on with 13 minutes left in Al Hilal’s triumph (4-5).

On 4 November 2024, Neymar played his second match after the injury, coming on in the 57th minute, but he would go off injured again in the 86th minute.

The match against Esteghlal Tehran (3-0) would be remembered as the star’s last moment in an Al-Hilal shirt.

Much has been written about Neymar’s transfer and the possible return to Brazil, which was later confirmed with his move to Santos. Neymar was therefore back at the club where he came through and from which he left in 2013.

Palmeiras was also linked as a possible new destination for the Brazilian; however, Leila Pereira, president of the club publicly stated: "We are not a medical department."

Neymar eventually returned to Brazil’s national team squad under Dorival Júnior, but he would later be replaced in the call-up... due to injury.

Between contract renewals and rumours of a move to MLS or Fluminense, Neymar was sidelined several more times. Carlo Ancelotti left the playmaker out of the final squad before the World Cup but in the last call-up for the tournament, Neymar’s name appeared among the 26 selected.

Despite being called up, it seemed the former PSG and Barcelona man’s bad luck was still refusing to end. He missed the warm-up friendlies and Brazil’s first two group-stage matches at the World Cup, but it was against Scotland that Neymar returned to represent Brazil (0-3).

Ancelotti brought the player on in the 76th minute, in a comeback that, while not especially eye-catching, showed character and was an emotional moment for the Santos star.

Neymar was left in tears after making his debut in the 2026 World Cup: "I’m very happy to be playing in a World Cup again and for the Brazilian national team. And I can only thank all the Brazilian people who supported me, encouraged me and backed me in some way."

Life beyond the pitch

There were plenty of conversations about Carnival and Neymar’s sister’s birthdays, with injuries often coinciding with those dates. Brazil is synonymous with celebration, and Brazilian footballers have often been associated with that environment.

Romário, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano: all were confronted with the party atmosphere that surrounded them throughout their careers. Neymar was no exception.

During these 981 days, the Brazilian’s life went through many twists and turns. He became a father twice and, more recently, announced that he is expecting his fifth child. There has also been plenty of criticism from the stands about his performances and physical condition, as well as the story involving Robinho Jr, son of the talented Robinho.

The issue stems from an attack the young Santos player suffered from Neymar during a training session but in the 1-1 draw against Recoleta of Paraguay, the Brazil star scored and celebrated hugging Robinho Jr., suggesting that everything had been resolved.

Amid all these events, Neymar has already spoken about the possibility of ending his career, pointing to December, when his contract with Santos expires but without giving anything away for certain.

The magician, who despite being immortalised could have been much more than he became, is heading towards the final moments of his career. Now, at the World Cup and with qualification for the last 16 secured, Neymar will surely be hoping to help Brazil achieve the much-discussed sixth title.