Neymar echoes Hamilton's 'Remember Who You Are' after ending 981-day Brazil exile at World Cup

Neymar Jr ended a 981-day absence from international football on Tuesday, coming off the bench for Brazil against Scotland in a 2026 World Cup group stage match in Miami — and he celebrated the moment by borrowing a message from his close friend Lewis Hamilton.

The 34-year-old had not featured for the Seleção since tearing his ACL against Uruguay in October 2023. Introduced in the 76th minute against Scotland, he registered 24 touches and a shot on target before the final whistle.

Afterwards, Neymar posted photos on Instagram with the caption “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE” — a direct reference to Hamilton, who had used the same words following his first grand prix victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. That win in Spain ended a drought stretching back to the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix and came after a difficult debut season with the Maranello team in 2025.

Hamilton responded to Neymar’s post with a single word: “ALWAYS.” The exchange was subsequently shared on the official Formula 1 Instagram account, where fans were quick to react. “Can’t wait for Neymar to score at the World Cup! Remember who you are Ney!!” wrote one supporter, while another called it a “GOAT to GOAT conversation.”

The two have maintained a well-documented friendship for several years. When Hamilton was granted Brazilian citizenship in 2022, he spoke openly about his bond with the footballer and his desire to spend more time in the country.

“I want to spend more time here in Brazil,” Hamilton said at the time. “It is such a beautiful culture. I’ve only been to Rio and Sao Paulo, but I want to come back for Christmas, New Year or something. Neymar invites me every year, and Gabriel [Medina] invites me every year, but I never had the chance.”

For Neymar, the return caps a lengthy rehabilitation from one of the most serious injuries in football. Whether he can recapture his best form deep into a World Cup tournament — and perhaps echo Hamilton’s own comeback narrative — remains to be seen.