Neymar Jr returns to Brazil national team after 981 days, breaks down in tears

Neymar Jr. stood on the pitch at full time, tears streaming down his face. It had been 981 days since he last wore the Seleção jersey.

The Brazilian forward made his long-awaited return to the national team during a FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Scotland. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had confirmed ahead of the match that Neymar was fully available following his recovery from a calf injury.

The long road back

Neymar’s absence wasn’t caused by one injury. It was a cascade of them, including calf problems and knee issues, the sort of recovery timeline that tests mental resilience as much as physical durability.

Ancelotti’s decision to include him in the squad for the Scotland match signaled confidence that Neymar’s body could handle the demands of competitive international football again.

Why crypto cares about Neymar (even when it shouldn’t)

Back in 2022, Neymar made headlines by purchasing Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs. He also signed a licensing deal with NFTSTAR back in 2021, further cementing his position as one of the highest-profile athletes to embrace the NFT movement.

The timing, in retrospect, was spectacularly bad. BAYC floor prices have cratered from their peaks, and the broader NFT market has contracted dramatically since those heady days.

What this means for the broader picture

For the crypto-adjacent world, Neymar’s story serves as a useful case study in how celebrity endorsements age. His BAYC purchases in 2022 were covered breathlessly by crypto media at the time and treated as validation that NFTs had crossed into mainstream consciousness.

No market movements followed this latest sports headline. There was a time, not long ago, when any Neymar news would have sparked speculation about related tokens or NFT projects.

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