Will Neymar Jr Start Against Scotland? Ancelotti Drops Major Hint

A huge injury boost for Brazil and head coach Carlo Ancelotti as Santos star Neymar Jr. has been ruled eligible for selection for their final Group C encounter against Scotland on Wednesday. The former Barcelona star was missing from the squad for their last two group games, with many fans wondering on each matchday in this year's tournament: ‘Is Neymar playing today?’

The good news for the Selecao fans is that Neymar might take the field during the game. However, no real update has been presented on whether Ancelotti will start the veteran star, who is also the all-time leading scorer for Brazil.

Is Neymar starting against Scotland today?

The answer to the question ‘Is Neymar starting against Scotland today?’ is that he will most probably be coming off the bench as an impact player after Scottish players have been stretched throughout the game. The combination of Vinicius Junior, Matheus Cunha, Rayan and Lucas Paqueta was effective enough against Haiti and could be what Ancelotti decides to leave unchanged.

Injury to Raphinha has opened up a golden opportunity for Neymar Jr to make an impact and stake a claim for a starting spot. While Rayan will be starting the game, Neymar might replace the Bournemouth star later in the second half on June 24.

When Did Neymar Last Played For Brazil?

The former PSG superstar last played an international game for the Selecao against Uruguay during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in October 2023. The game ended up being a 2-0 loss and also saw Neymar Jr suffer a severe knee (ACL) injury, keeping him sidelined for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.

As one of the best dribblers in football history, Neymar Jr will be looking to prove his fitness while also simultaneously proving his doubters wrong with a brilliant cameo in 2026 FIFA World Cup.