HOUSTON, June 30 -- Brazil may have left it late to book their place in the 2026 Fifa World Cup Round of 16, but Neymar wasted no time delivering a cheeky message to one man who had already written them off.

Moments after Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 on Monday, the Selecao's No. 10 took to X to poke fun at German economist Joachim Klement, whose much-discussed statistical model had predicted the five-time world champions would be sent packing by the Blue Samurai.

Neymar, who is continuing his gradual return and did not feature in the match, posted a brief but pointed message aimed directly at the economist.

"Mr Joachim Klement... please try again at the next World Cup," he wrote in Portuguese followed by winking emoji.

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