Ancelotti Confident in Neymar’s Return Ahead of Brazil’s Final Group Match

Carlo Ancelotti has faced criticism for including Neymar in Brazil's World Cup squad, especially given the forward's inconsistent performance and troubling injury record. The 34-year-old player from Santos has yet to feature in the tournament this year due to a persistent calf issue. Nonetheless, following Brazil's convincing 3-0 victory over Haiti, Ancelotti expressed optimism about Neymar's availability for their crucial Group C clash against Scotland on June 24 at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

“Neymar will be training tomorrow individually, and on Monday with the rest of the team. He WILL be available for the match against Scotland,” Ancelotti confirmed, as reported by Goal.com’s Tom Hindle.

With Neymar sidelined, Brazil's attacking responsibilities have fallen to Vinicius Jr., Matheus Cunha, Raphinha, and Igor Thiago. Both Vinicius Jr. and Cunha have emerged as key players, each netting two goals in the tournament, making them Brazil’s top scorers thus far.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening match, Brazil bounced back impressively against Haiti, who became the first team eliminated from the World Cup. This victory positioned Brazil alongside Morocco at the top of Group C, both teams now holding four points after Morocco's earlier win over Scotland.

During the match, Matheus Cunha, making a significant impact as a starting player, scored twice before halftime, while Vinicius Jr. added another goal. However, the match was marred by Raphinha's early exit due to a suspected hamstring injury, leaving him visibly upset as he received medical attention. Bournemouth’s Rayan stepped in during the second half, marking a promising World Cup debut at just 19 years old. If Raphinha’s condition is serious, players like Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Thiago, and Luiz Henrique may see increased playing time in future fixtures.