"Did you miss me?": Neymar sparks Brazil hope ahead of potential return vs Haiti

Brazil's wait for Neymar may finally be coming to an end.

Brazil's wait for Neymar may finally be coming to an end.

The Seleção's all-time leading scorer trained alongside his teammates on Wednesday for the first time since joining the squad's FIFA World Cup 2026 camp, raising hopes that he could soon return to action.

"Did you miss me?"

The Santos forward appeared in high spirits at Columbia Park in Morristown, New Jersey, accompanied by Marquinhos and Raphinha.

As he approached the gathered reporters and photographers, Neymar delivered a message that immediately captured attention.

"Did you miss me?" the former Barcelona and PSG star joked.

The response from those watching was immediate.

"The wait is over! Hallelujah!" some journalists shouted as they saw Brazil's iconic No. 10 back with the group.

Will Neymar play against Haiti?

After returning to full team training, Neymar is now expected to be available for Brazil's second Group C match against Haiti on Friday in Philadelphia.

However, despite the encouraging progress, it remains uncertain how many minutes he could play or whether he would be included in the starting lineup.

The 34-year-old had already returned to the field on Tuesday for individual work before taking the next step in his recovery by training with the squad.

His teammates welcomed him back with applause and a playful initiation tunnel during the session.

Danilo highlights Neymar's importance

Brazil defender Danilo praised Neymar's return and emphasized the impact the forward can have on the team.

"He can help us a lot. Just by being on the pitch, he can disrupt everything the opponent has prepared," said the Flamengo full-back.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester City player also hopes Neymar can honor the tournament with another memorable performance.

"I hope he's physically well and can pay tribute to the World Cup as he has always done. Everywhere he's played, he has shown his quality," Danilo added.

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Racing against time

Neymar suffered a Grade II right calf injury on May 17 during a Brasileirão match.

Although Santos initially described it as a minor edema, further examinations conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation revealed a more significant injury that required two to three weeks of recovery.

Despite the setback, Carlo Ancelotti kept Neymar in Brazil's World Cup squad, citing the veteran's experience and leadership.

Following weeks of physiotherapy, gym sessions and medical evaluations, Neymar is finally back training with the group.

And with Brazil preparing to face Haiti, the possibility of seeing the country's biggest star return to the FIFA World Cup 2026 stage suddenly feels very real.