Japan is Neymar's biggest victim for the Brazilian team; see the numbers
Brazil faces Japan in the second phase of the World Cup, next Monday (29), and Neymar will have the opportunity to expand one of his most significant marks for the Brazilian team. Back in the team after 981 days, the number 10 faces the opponent against whom he scored the most goals in his career.
In total, Neymar found the net nine times against the Japanese. The first was in 2012, in a friendly played in Poland. In Brazil's 4-0 victory, the striker scored twice.
In 2013, in Brazil's debut in the Confederations Cup, Neymar opened the scoring with a volley after just three minutes, in a 3-0 victory.
The following year, in a friendly held in Singapore, the number 10 had one of his most inspired performances with the Brazilian team and scored four goals in the 4-0 victory.
"I'm very happy to achieve something like this. I couldn't have imagined this with the Seleção in my dreams. I have no words," said Neymar after the match.
In 2017, the striker scored again against Japan, this time from the penalty spot, in Brazil's 3-1 victory. The ninth and final goal came in a friendly preparatory match for the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, when he secured the 1-0 victory.
Neymar was away from the Brazilian team for 981 days. The striker returned to wearing the yellow shirt in the victory over Scotland, coming on in the second half, in his first match for the team since 2023. That year, he suffered a serious knee injury and underwent a long recovery period.
After Japan secured their place in the second phase with a 1-1 draw against Sweden, left-back Yuto Nagatomo, who is playing in his fifth World Cup, highlighted the quality of the Brazilian team and stated that Neymar requires special attention.
"Neymar is a world-class player. We need to pay a lot of attention to him, but also to the entire Brazilian team. I believe that in this World Cup they will show their best football", he said.
In general retrospect, the Brazilian team has a wide advantage. In 16 clashes, there are 13 Brazilian victories, two draws and only one defeat - precisely the most recent, already under the command of Carlo Ancelotti.
On that occasion, Brazil lost 3-2, coming from behind, at the Ajinomoto Stadium, in Tokyo, after opening 2-0 on the scoreboard. Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the Brazilian team, but Minamino, Fabrício Bruno (own goal) and Ueda guaranteed the Japanese comeback.
Analysis: Japan has less tradition, but can provide work for Brazil
Source: CNN