Neymar admits he cried a little in the changing room after an emotional return for Brazil

The 34-year-old last played for Brazil in 2023. He suffered a serious knee injury in October of that year and has found it hard to keep up his form since. He was initially a doubt for selection in Brazil's World Cup squad.

He then picked up a calf injury last month that kept him out of Brazil's first two matches in the competition. But he finally made his international comeback against Scotland, with supporters chanting his name.

"I went to the changing room, all by myself, and I cried a little," Neymar told journalists after Brazil finished top of Group C.

"It is a huge relief to go through all this again. It is a moment of thankfulness. I thank God for being able to experience this once more."

Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, Neymar has now played in four World Cups, with eight goals and four assists in tournaments since 2014.

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

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

Brazil will play the runners-up in Group F in their second-round match in Houston on Monday.