'I shed a few tears' - Neymar's emotional comeback sparks Brazil World Cup joy

The 34-year-old forward came off the bench in the second half, ending a 981-day wait to play for his country again. It was his first appearance for Brazil since 2023 after a difficult period that included a serious knee injury and a recent calf problem that kept him out of the team's opening two matches of the tournament.

With Brazil fans chanting his name as he returned to international action, Neymar revealed the occasion left him deeply moved.

"I went to the locker room, all alone, and I shed a few tears," he told reporters after the match.

"It's an immense relief to relive all this. It's a moment of gratitude. I thank God for being able to experience this again."

Neymar's return was one of the major talking points as Brazil secured top spot in Group C and continued their strong run at the World Cup. Earlier in the year, there had been doubts about whether he would even make the squad after struggling with injuries and fitness.

Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, Neymar is now featuring at his fourth World Cup. Since making his tournament debut in 2014, he has contributed eight goals and four assists on football's biggest stage.

The former captain said the long absence had given him a new perspective on the national team.

"I had been away for a long time so it's a different team now, I see it with fresh eyes," Neymar said.

"But I'm very happy to have been able to come back and play in a World Cup and defend the Brazilian national team after so many years."

Brazil will now turn their attention to the last 32, where they will face the runners-up from Group F in Houston on Monday. Their opponents will be either the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden as the five-time world champions continue their pursuit of another FIFA World Cup crown.