BREAKING: Neymar named in Brazil squad to face Scotland by Carlo Ancelotti | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Neymar has been named in Brazil’s matchday squad for their final World Cup group stage game against Scotland at Miami Stadium.

The 34-year-old winger hasn’t played for Seleção since 17th of October 2023, when he suffered a combined anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury in a World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay.

The incident kept the Santos player out of action for club and country until his return 368 days later, before he was called up to represent Brazil in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Neymar is yet to feature at this year’s tournament for Brazil, missing out on their opening two group games against Morocco and Haiti as he hadn’t quite recovered in time to play a part in their bid for a seventh triumph at the World Cup finals.

It is welcome news for Seleção after Raphinha hobbled off in the first half of their 3-0 victory over Haiti last time out with a suspected muscle injury, according to local publication Globo.

Rayan replaced his stricken teammate to make his World Cup debut and just a third appearance in a Brazil shirt, after an impressive season scoring five goals in 15 Premier League matches for Europe-bound Bournemouth.

Neymar, who returned to boyhood club Santos FC in January 2025, has made 128 appearances and scored 79 goals for Brazil and lifted the Confederations Cup with his national team in 2013.

It remains all to play for in Group C, with it possible for the winner of the game to top the group if Morocco fail to beat Haiti. Though Carlo Ancelotti’s will oversee the crucial game without one of his key attacking assets, Neymar could make his long-awaited return.

Brazil’s meeting with Scotland – who are out to secure knockout football at the World Cup for the first time ever, kicks off at 23:00 (BST) with coverage available on BBC One and the BBC Sport website.

For more detailed reports, reaction, and analysis of the World Cup as it happens, head to our website and favourite our page on OneFootball.