Neymar's Impact on Brazil's World Cup Journey
Neymar hasn’t kicked a ball at this World Cup yet, but he’s already changed the mood in Brazil’s camp.
Left out of the matchday squads for the 1-1 draw with Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti, the No. 10 has been confined to the training pitch. Even so, every touch, every sprint in those sessions has been watched closely by teammates who know exactly what his return would mean with qualification on the line.
Lucas Paqueta made that clear as he faced the cameras on Sunday.
“We’re all very happy to see him training and back on the pitch with us. Neymar is a very important player for the Brazilian national team,” he said, the message as much for the dressing room as for anyone outside it. “He has an extraordinary history with this shirt and he can still help us a lot. We’re glad he’s back and we hope he’ll be available as soon as possible to contribute to the team.”
For now, that is the great unknown. If Neymar is passed fit for Brazil’s final Group C match at Miami Stadium, it would be his first competitive appearance for the Selecao since 2023. The stakes could hardly be higher: Brazil sit top of the group on four points, level with Morocco, with little margin for error.
Lift from Neymar, hole left by Raphinha
Neymar’s gradual re-emergence offers hope. Raphinha’s absence does the opposite.
The Barcelona winger, such a key part of Brazil’s width and work-rate, is out with a hamstring injury. His injury has stripped some of the natural fluency from Brazil’s right flank and cast doubt over his involvement in the rest of the tournament.
It is a serious blow. Paqueta didn’t dress it up.
“Right now he has the support of the whole group. We’re by his side and we’ll do everything we can to help him during his recovery,” the Flamengo midfielder said. “He’s a guy who works really hard and I’m sure he’ll do everything possible to come back as soon as he can. As for his importance, there’s not much more to add. He’s coming off some extraordinary seasons and has grown a lot with the national team as well.”
One star edging back, another stuck in rehab. The contrast sums up Brazil’s campaign so far: flashes of power, undermined by inconsistency and uncertainty.
No room for arrogance against Scotland
On paper, a five-time world champion facing a nation that has never reached the knockout stages should be a mismatch. The Brazilian squad know better than to believe that.
Scotland arrive in Miami with history in their sights. A positive result against Brazil would likely take them into the last 16 for the first time. That kind of motivation can turn any game into a street fight.
Paqueta was adamant there would be no complacency.
“All the teams at the World Cup deserve respect. You have to study them and prepare as best as possible to face them,” he said. “We have great respect for Scotland, but we also know we need to play our game and follow what the coach asks of us. Regardless of the opponent, our goal in every match is to win.”
Respect, but no fear. That’s the line Brazil are trying to walk.
Tight group, thin margins
The table leaves no room for missteps. Brazil lead Group C on four points, but Morocco are right there with them and face already eliminated Haiti in the other fixture. A draw could easily drag the Selecao into a complicated scenario. A win guarantees top spot and a smoother path into the knockouts.
That is why every training run from Neymar matters. Every medical update on Raphinha matters. Brazil are trying to fine-tune on the fly after a stuttering start: a laboured draw with Morocco, a more convincing but still imperfect 3-0 against Haiti.
The margin between a group win and a nervous final whistle might just be the presence of No. 10 on the team sheet in Miami.
If Neymar does step over that white line again, the World Cup will feel very different – for Brazil, for their opponents, and for a tournament still waiting to see whether the Selecao are contenders or just a name on the bracket.
