Carlo Ancelotti strode into a Miami press room late on Tuesday night, flight delays having pushed his briefing past nine o’clock, and immediately placed Neymar at the centre of Brazil’s World Cup narrative without revealing a single tactical detail. The forward, whose last appearance in the famous yellow came in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in October 2023, has been cleared to face Scotland after recovering from a calf injury that sidelined him for the opening draw with Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti. “He is available, he trained very well this week, he is fit and ready to play,” Ancelotti said, before deflecting questions about minutes with a characteristic quip: “Even I can play 90 minutes — walking.”

The return of the country’s record goalscorer, now 34, has dominated the Brazilian press corps all week. Ancelotti praised Neymar’s attitude during rehabilitation, noting that even without playing he “brings experience, knowledge of the game, helps the younger players.” Teammate Gabriel Martinelli, speaking to international media, described the Santos forward’s intensity in Monday’s tactical session as “very high” and said he appeared in peak condition. Meanwhile, the coach faced parallel questions about teenage forward Endrick, whose substitute appearance against Haiti and disallowed goal have fuelled a popular campaign for a starting role. Ancelotti smiled at the apparent dilemma: “The fans push a lot for Endrick, but tomorrow we also have Neymar. I think they will support both.”

Brazil enter the Hard Rock Stadium contest level on four points with Morocco atop Group C, holding the tiebreaker on goal difference. Scotland sit third with three points and remain in contention for a last-32 berth either directly or as one of the best third-placed sides. A victory would guarantee Brazil’s progression as group winners; defeat would leave them vulnerable, with Morocco expected to beat bottom side Haiti. Ancelotti must also replace winger Raphinha, ruled out with a hamstring injury, but declined to name his substitute, maintaining the opacity that has characterised his tournament selections.

Viewed from European press rooms, the Italian’s confidence in his project is growing. He described a clear upward trajectory — “the first match wasn’t the best, the second was better, and we are confident the third will be the best” — and warned that Scotland, organised around Premier League midfielders Scott McTominay and John McGinn, would present a physical test. “Easy games in the World Cup finished a long time ago,” he said. The delayed flight from New Jersey, which pushed back his media duties, was dismissed with the same dry humour: “It will be a very beautiful experience — even if I had to do a press conference at nine o’clock at night.”

Brazil’s immediate future now hinges on whether Ancelotti unleashes Neymar from the start or uses him as a second-half lever. The decision will shape not only the Scotland match but the Seleção’s path through a tournament where, 24 years after their last title, patience among supporters is measured in minutes of playing time.