Ancelotti Weighs Neymar Return As Brazil Chase Group C Top Spot Vs Scotland

Gabriel Martinelli speaks to the press

After missing Brazil’s games vs Morocco and Haiti with a calf injury, Neymar looks set for a return against Scotland. The 34-year-old has been out over 650 days with knee and calf setbacks since 2023.

Veteran forward back in squad after almost three years. Neymar ‘in great shape’ and eyeing Scotland return for Brazil...

Neymar could feature for Brazil against Scotland on Wednesday, marking his first appearance at this year’s World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti is still deciding if the forward is fit enough after a calf injury sidelined him for the finals so far.

The 34-year-old was recalled by Ancelotti after nearly three years away from the national team. He hasn’t played in the tournament yet after picking up the calf injury over five weeks ago.

Neymar missed Brazil’s first two group games against Morocco and Haiti, which only added to the buzz around a player whose career has swung between moments of brilliance and a long injury list that would worry even his most hopeful fans.

He last wore Brazil’s shirt in 2023, when a serious knee injury against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier cut his campaign short.

Since that 2023 knee injury, he’s spent more than 650 days on the sidelines due to a run of setbacks while playing in Saudi Arabia and later back home in Brazil. He rejoined boyhood club Santos last year hoping to reset his career.

His return has been anything but smooth though. More injuries and a few off-field controversies have kept breaking up his momentum, making it hard for him to find any real rhythm or sharpness.

This year he’s managed six goals and four assists in 15 games, with Santos handling him carefully. He hasn’t played more than four straight matches since coming back from knee surgery in February.

Ancelotti picking him for the squad set off a heated debate in Brazil, mainly because no one could say for sure when he’d actually be fit, or which version of Neymar would show up if he did.

Neymar steps up training as Scotland clash nears

Neymar returned to full training last week after sitting out Brazil’s games against Morocco and Haiti. On Monday he joined his first full tactical and team session under Carlo Ancelotti, who took charge of the national team after leaving Real Madrid last year.

Teammate Gabriel Martinelli said the 34-year-old looked ready and fit for action.

“He's performing at a very high level and you could see the intensity in today's training session. You could see how keen he is to be with us, and his quality is unquestionable,x” Martinelli told a press conference on Monday.

“Whether he'll play or not is a question for the manager, but I think he's in great shape.”

Brazil sit top of Group C on four points, ahead of Morocco on goal difference. Scotland are third with three.

Brazil were sluggish in a 1-1 draw with Morocco to start, then bounced back with a 3-0 win over Haiti. They’ll need a stronger performance against Scotland if they want to finish first in the group.

A win or draw against Scotland, combined with Morocco dropping points to Haiti, would send Brazil through as group winners into the Round of 32.

Ancelotti’s got a problem on the right wing too, with Raphinha out due to a hamstring issue. Rayan from Bournemouth filled in against Haiti, but Luiz Henrique of Zenit St Petersburg is tipped to get the nod this time.