Neymar's greatest World Cup moments — and why 2026 is his miracle comeback

Brazilian legend Neymar is poised to return to the stage of a World Cup, in one of the more emotionally-charged stories in world football in recent years. The mercurial forward has suffered horrendous injury issues in recent years, but after two years out of action and a fairytale return to boyhood club Santos, one of the most decorated and talented players of the last decade will have a final chance to light up the world stage.

While Brazil are on a disappointing run of 22 years since their last World Cup win, Neymar has had more than his fair share of thrilling World Cup highlights in his appearances thus far. Spreadex Sports take a look back at the Brazilian magician's most significant moments at the FIFA World Cup.

2014 WORLD CUP

2014 and the home tournament in Brazil was perhaps where Neymar achieved his highest highs in international football, but also his lowest lows. Aged just 22, he announced himself on the ultimate stage with a brace in the opening match of the tournament against Croatia, helping his side to a 3-1 victory.

This form continued with Neymar quickly establishing himself as his side's ultimate talisman, scoring twice again in a 4-1 group victory over Cameroon, which secured top spot in the group for the Brazilians.

With Brazil seemingly on course for glory on home soil, a cruel twist of fate saw Neymar's tournament end abruptly after a back injury during the match with Colombia. His exit from the tournament seemingly played a huge role in Brazil's morale and focus, and the Selecao fell to the ignominious 7-1 drubbing by eventual champions Germany in the semi-finals.

Could Neymar have lifted the trophy in that tournament and followed in the footsteps of Pele if he had remained fit? This will remain an unanswered question.

2018 WORLD CUP

Four years later and at the age of 26, Neymar should have been at the absolute peak of his powers as he looked to go a step further than 2014 and finally claim a World Cup crown with Brazil. However, it was once again not to be as the Brazilians exited the competition at the quarter-final stage.

In truth, Neymar himself had to overcome yet more injury woes in the lead-up to the tournament as he had to recover from a serious foot injury, but still managed to produce a memorable moment as he scored and assisted in the Round of 16 tie with Mexico. He also grabbed a goal in the group stages against Costa Rica. 

The Brazilians were ultimately knocked out of the tournament by Belgium, as Neymar suffered more heartbreak.

2022 WORLD CUP

Now aged 30 and with a significant reputation for brittle fitness, Neymar had this third chance for World Cup glory in the tournament in Qatar. However, he was once again forced to deal with an immediate setback as he had to sit out group-stage matches due to an ankle injury picked up against Serbia.

However, with Brazil managing without him, he made his return and produced another headline moment in the quarter-finals, albeit in vain. In a high-stakes match with 2018 finalists Croatia, Neymar produced a moment of brilliance to score an extra-time goal which had put Brazil ahead and on course for the semi-finals.

Unfortunately for the forward and his side, Croatia later equalised and won the tie on a penalty shootout, but Neymar's goal saw him level with Pele in terms of the all-time scoring record for the Brazil national team.

A chance for a fairytale ending in 2026?

With 12 goal contributions in just 13 World Cup appearances, Neymar has certainly not been a disappointment on the World Cup stage, but has been more of a 'what if' story. Individual brilliance but blighted by injuries, and few expected him to even return to this stage for a fourth time.

However, after fighting back to relative fitness and back into Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao squad, can the now 34-year-old maestro roll back the years and inspire his side to glory in what may well be the final moments of his glittering but often ill-fated career?

We will all find out very soon.