Neymar returns to a different Brazil

Neymar jogged on the spot beside the fourth official, his eyes fixed on the electronic substitution board as he waited to make his first appearance for Brazil in almost three years.

Brazil was already 3-0 ahead of Scotland at Miami Stadium and closing in on top spot in World Cup Group C when Carlo Ancelotti called on Neymar in the 76th minute.

As Matheus Cunha made way, he wrapped Neymar in a long embrace before the Santos forward looked upward, pointed both hands to the sky and turned slowly as he crossed the touchline.

The ovation continued as Brazil's No. 10 made his way toward the center circle after 981 days away from the national team.

A kilogram or two heavier and with a higher hairline, he is no longer the lithe menace who tore down the left flank at Barcelona or dazzled with his trickery and goals at Paris Saint-Germain.

This is a different iteration of Neymar, one in which experience, positioning and touch have replaced much of the pace and acceleration that once defined his game.

He stayed mostly in central areas, only occasionally drifting toward the left wing that was once his domain.

It took barely a minute for him to have his first touch, receiving the ball from Bruno Guimaraes before weaving through traffic and being dispossessed near the edge of the penalty area.

Soon afterward, he threaded a pass to Vinicius Junior, whose shot forced Angus Gunn into a smart save.

Brazil looked for Neymar at almost every opportunity. On another attack, he won a free kick after being dragged down while driving forward.

His best chance came in the 89th minute. Drifting into the left side of the penalty area, he cut onto his right foot before striking an effort that Gunn saved comfortably.

The appearance lasted little more than 15 minutes and produced neither a goal nor an assist, but it offered an early indication of how Ancelotti could use him as the tournament progresses.

Vinicius had already put the result beyond doubt before Neymar entered the match. The Real Madrid forward scored twice, had another effort ruled out after a video assistant referee review and remained Scotland's biggest concern throughout the night.

From the bench, Neymar applauded each of Vinicius' goals enthusiastically. After his introduction, he repeatedly looked for the 25-year-old as the five-time world champions continued to attack.

For much of the past decade and a half, Brazil's attacking hopes rested largely on Neymar's shoulders. Against Scotland, the team already had its rhythm, its confidence and a new leading man.

Rather than trying to change that, Neymar looked comfortable within a team that no longer revolved around him.

His previous appearance for Brazil came on October 17, 2023, when he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

Further setbacks followed, including a calf muscle tear while playing for Santos in May that ruled him out of Brazil's opening two matches of the tournament.

The 34-year-old is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, and every stage of his recovery has been scrutinized at home.

Each setback generated headlines, as did every sign that his return was drawing closer.

Television cameras showed tears welling in his eyes after the final whistle.

Brazil heads into the knockout stage with two wins and one draw, growing confidence and a new version of its one-time talisman. Together, they may yet write another chapter in the country's football history.