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Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Neymar's enduring passion for the game, likening the veteran forward's enthusiasm to that of a young boy following his return to action at the 2026 World Cup. The Santos star made his long-awaited international comeback as a second-half substitute during Brazil's commanding 3-0 victory over Scotland in Miami.

The 2026 World Cup is underway as those still in contention fight it out for the universally coveted trophy. While the collective prize is the main objective for all competitors, some are already making their claim as the best player of the entire tournament. Lionel Messi is the current top candidate with all five of Argentina's goals, but Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are breathing down his neck.

Steve Clarke has conceded that Scotland are "probably going home" following a demoralising 3-0 defeat to Brazil in their final World Cup group stage match. The Tartan Army were outclassed by Carlo Ancelotti’s side in Miami, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history hanging by the thinnest of threads.

Neymar admitted that nervousness took over during his long-awaited return to the Brazilian national team after a hiatus of almost a thousand days away from international football. The Santos star entered the second half of the 3-0 victory over Scotland, sealing the end of a long recovery that began with a serious knee injury in 2023.