'Sentimental pick'- Ex-Scotland star claims Neymar looked 'sluggish' on Brazil World Cup return

Iconic forward makes comeback

The Selecao superstar made his return

Burley slams 'sentimental' selection

While the technical metrics showed

"But boy, I think if you're Joao Pedro or one or two others that didn't make the squad and you're looking at that guy saying this is just a sentimental pick. Because, yeah, I know he's not had much game time, but he just looked so sluggish and off the pace and as if it passed him by.

“So if you have to go to him in the latter stages of the tournament, that's going to be the big question. Can he actually come on and influence the game against better players? Which even struggled when he came on against the Scotland team.

"So that for me, I know [Igor] Thiago's there, I know [Matheus] Cunha can play up front, I know Endrick's there, but these are inexperienced players at that level. And I think the one thing you're going to have to do in this tournament if you're going to go all the way is go to your bench for game changers.

"And it looked to me as if that was nothing more than just a sentimental pick putting him in.”

Tears flow after milestone

The immense emotional weight of completing his long rehabilitation journey overflowed after the final whistle, with

Neymar explained: "My heart was racing, very nervous... but happy! Proud, everything went well. I'm very happy to be wearing the national team jersey again after three years. I'm physically well, thank God.

"It was tough being sidelined for those days, but I wasn't completely inactive. I've been training hard for 25 days to be in good shape for the games. So I'm very happy, very pleased. It was a mix of emotions when I came on. It was a long time away from this jersey, away from the national team, but thank God everything worked out and I managed to come back."

Japan test awaits Selecao

Brazil comfortably advanced to the round of 32 as the outright winners of Group C, maintaining high morale across the camp.