Just as Diego Maradona would single-handedly win the World Cup for Argentina in 1986, Garrincha had achieved that very feat for Brazil 24 years earlier.

Neymar's inclusion in Ancelotti's 26-man squad for the World Cup was something of a surprise as he had not been picked for the national team in almost three years due to a mixture of injuries and poor form.

Neymar's recall last week generated widespread excitement because he had not featured in Ancelotti's plans during the Italian's year in charge.

To fully grasp the story, we must return to 1994. In the Rose Bowl in California, when Italy’s Roberto Baggio missed his penalty

Many players came from thousands of miles away, deep in the Amazon rainforest, to join Originarios.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

Brazil have won a record five World Cups, but none since 2002. In the span since, Brazil have not finished better than fourth in 2014 and finished a disappointing fifth during 2026 qualifying.

On July 16, 1950, the skies above Rio de Janeiro carried not just the glare of the sun, but the blazing pride and golden dreams of an entire nation, Brazil. Rising beside the shores of Guanabara Bay stood the newly built concrete giant -- the Maracana Stadium. It was not merely a structure of brick and cement; it was a vast temple of hope, ambition and supremacy for nearly 200 million Brazilians.

Brazil formally has told FIFA it wants to host the 2029 Club World Cup, according to a report by ESPN Brazil.

Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday.

Neymar has not featured for Brazil in two years due to a succession of injuries.

At the Emirates Stadium, Brazil fans may have caught their first real glimpse of someone who is not merely the next Neymar, nor a Messi imitation, but a player whose emergence makes the idea of restoring a dynasty feel possible again.

Estevao, who has largely been limited to substitute appearances in the Premier League, gave Chelsea a cushion just one minute after coming on, setting up fellow Brazilian Joao Pedro for their second goal.

With Inter Milan, Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid having all tried to sign Pele, the Brazilian government, under president Janio Quadros, declared him an ‘official national treasure’ to prohibit him moving overseas.

Among the top guns, Portugal moved up to fifth, pushing Brazil down a spot, while Italy re-entered the top ten.

It is the first time Brazil have failed to reach 30 points since the format began in 1996.

Paqueta and Guimaraes struck in quick succession late in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

His return to boyhood club Santos has not been a bed of roses either.

Neymar, once seen as the next big phenomenon coming out of Brazil, has fallen by the wayside due to recurring injury problems. 

Perhaps most importantly, this club-level surge offers hope for their national team, record five-time world champions.