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Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta has expressed his delight at seeing Neymar return to training as the Selecao gear up for their decisive Group C encounter against Scotland. The Santos forward had been sidelined with a calf injury during the early stages of the 2026 World Cup but is now nearing full fitness ahead of the clash in Miami.

Neymar’s comeback lifts Brazil’s spirits

Neymar has not yet featured in this year’s World Cup, having missed both the 1-1 draw against Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti. However, his reappearance in training has provided a major morale boost to the squad as they push to finish top of their group. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Paqueta shared the team’s enthusiasm about their star man’s return.

“We’re all thrilled to see him back training and on the pitch with us. Neymar is a very important player for the Brazil national team,” Paqueta said. “He has a remarkable history with this shirt, and he can still contribute a lot. We’re very happy to have him back and hope he’ll be ready to help the team as soon as possible.”

Replacing Raphinha remains a challenge

While Neymar’s recovery is a huge positive, Brazil are still coping with the absence of Raphinha, the Barcelona winger who is nursing a hamstring injury. The former Leeds United star’s unavailability has affected Brazil’s attacking rhythm, and his return date remains uncertain. Paqueta emphasised that the team is fully supporting their teammate as he works towards recovery.

“Right now, he has the full support of the group. We’re with him and will do everything possible to help him during his recovery,” the Flamengo midfielder commented. “He’s someone who trains very hard, and I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to return soon. His importance to us is unquestionable. He’s had some outstanding seasons and continues to grow with the national team.”

Paqueta wary of Scotland’s threat

Despite Brazil’s reputation as five-time world champions, Paqueta was quick to dismiss any sense of overconfidence ahead of their match at Miami Stadium. Scotland, chasing their first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stage, will be eager to secure a historic result against the South Americans. Paqueta acknowledged the challenge that Steve Clarke’s side presents.

“Every team at the World Cup deserves respect. You need to study them and prepare properly for each opponent,” said the former West Ham United player. “We respect Scotland a lot, but our focus remains on playing our own game and following the coach’s instructions. Regardless of who we face, our objective is always to win.”

Focus shifts to knockout qualification

Brazil currently lead Group C with four points, though the battle for qualification remains tight. A win is essential to ensure they stay top, especially with Morocco—also on four points—taking on already eliminated Haiti in the other fixture. As the knockout rounds approach, the Selecao are determined to sharpen their form after a somewhat inconsistent start. If Neymar is declared fit, it would mark his first competitive appearance for Brazil since 2023, adding another layer of anticipation to the upcoming encounter.