Neymar is poised to end his nearly three-year absence from the Brazilian national team in their upcoming Group C match against Scotland. The 34-year-old forward, who has not featured in Brazil’s opening two games due to a calf injury, is expected to rejoin training on Sunday following Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar will be integrated with the squad on Monday and is likely to be available for the side’s crucial encounter with Scotland in Miami.

While Neymar’s return offers a significant boost to Brazil’s attacking options, the team faces a setback with the injury of winger Raphinha. The Barcelona forward was forced off during the first half of the Haiti match after sustaining what appears to be a recurrence of a hamstring injury, a problem that affected him multiple times throughout the previous season. His condition has raised concerns among the Brazilian camp, with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. expressing sympathy over the setback, noting that it seemed to be the same injury as before.

Ancelotti highlighted the importance of maintaining focus ahead of the match with Scotland, describing it as a potential challenge for the team. He emphasized the need for calmness and composure in preparing for the encounter against Steve Clarke’s side. The loss of Raphinha ahead of the critical group stage tie is a significant blow, especially considering his role in Brazil’s offensive setup.

Brazil’s World Cup campaign has so far been marked by difficulties, but Neymar’s anticipated participation is seen as a positive development as they seek to secure qualification from Group C. The team will look to consolidate their position with a strong performance against Scotland, balancing the return of a key veteran with the uncertainty surrounding Raphinha’s fitness.