Neymar ruled out for up to three weeks with calf injury ahead of World Cup
Brazil’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a significant blow after superstar forward Neymar was ruled out for two to three weeks with a calf injury. The 34-year-old, who is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, faces a race against time to feature in the Seleção’s opening group match against Morocco on June 13. National team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed that an MRI scan on Thursday revealed a grade-two muscle strain in Neymar’s right calf, contradicting initial reports from his club, Santos, which had downplayed the issue as minor swelling.
The injury means Neymar will definitely miss Brazil’s upcoming warm-up friendlies against Panama on Sunday at the Maracanã and Egypt in Cleveland on June 5. The forward reported to the national team’s Granja Comary training camp on Tuesday but was unable to take part in Wednesday’s opening session after complaining of discomfort. Subsequent tests at a private clinic in Teresópolis confirmed a partial tear of the muscle fibers, sparking serious concern within the Brazilian camp just over a fortnight before the tournament begins in North America.
The timing is a bitter setback for Neymar, who had only recently been recalled to the squad by manager Carlo Ancelotti after a long international absence following a serious knee injury in 2023. Ancelotti had previously stressed that reputation would play no part in his selection process, insisting that Neymar would have to prove his fitness and form to earn his place alongside a new generation of talent including Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.
Brazil’s medical staff are now working around the clock to rehabilitate the veteran forward, with the ultimate goal of having him available for later Group C fixtures against Haiti and Scotland. Under FIFA regulations, Ancelotti has until 24 hours before the opening match to replace an injured player in the 26-man squad, meaning the coaching staff face an anxious wait to see if their talisman can recover in time to spearhead another World Cup campaign.
