Oi, Neymar.
After missing Brazil’s first two World Cup matches due to a right calf injury, Neymar “will be available” Wednesday against Scotland in the Group C finale.
The crowd in Miami Gardens, Fla., will get to say hello to one of the world’s greatest players in a game that could decide the group winner.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the plan is for Neymar to train individually Saturday, join his teammates Monday and be ready to play Wednesday.
Neymar, 34, is Brazil’s all-time leader with 79 goals in 129 international appearances.
He not practiced fully with his international teammates since suffering the injury with his club team on May 17.
This will be the fourth World Cup for Neymar but his first since tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 during a qualifying match
It could be more than a significant full-circle moment in his recovery but a career-crowning achievement, especially if he is able to lead Brazil to its first World Cup title since 2002.
“We are happy with his progress,” Brazil star Vinicius Junior told reporters after a 3-0 victory against Haiti, to backup the opening 1-1 tie against Morocco.
“Having him with the group is very important for all of us. He is my idol and has always given me a lot of support. I hope he comes back for the next game and helps us throughout the World Cup.”
Scotland could be fighting to advance to the knockout round as only half of the third-place group finishers will be in the Round of 32.
“We don’t think about knocking out [Scotland]. We think about playing well and improving, and we analyze the match,” Ancelotti said. “If we can reach the first position of the group, that would be important for the future. So we want to prepare well for that match.”
