Coach Ancelotti Expresses Confidence in Neymar's Recovery
On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Brazilian national team coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his optimism regarding star player Neymar's recovery from a calf injury. Ancelotti, 66, stated in a press conference that he firmly believes Neymar will heal as quickly as possible, highlighting the player's dedication and motivation during his recovery process. However, he did acknowledge the possibility that the 34-year-old forward might miss Brazil's opening match of the World Cup against Morocco on June 13.
The announcement on Wednesday regarding Neymar's absence for a duration of two to three weeks cast a shadow over Brazil's training camp preparations at the Granja Comary training center in Teresópolis. This setback also means that Neymar, who was called up by Ancelotti after extensive discussions, will miss friendly matches against Panama and Egypt. His participation in the World Cup opener against Morocco, which is part of Group C that also includes Haiti and Scotland, remains uncertain.
Ancelotti commented, "If he cannot recover before the first match, he will be ready for the second game." He assured fans that all players would participate in the friendly against Panama on Sunday at the Maracanã Stadium, describing it as a significant event to bid farewell to their supporters. Meanwhile, the Brazilian squad is set to travel to the United States on Monday for their training camp in New Jersey.
Brazil, a five-time World Cup champion, will hold their final friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on June 6. Neymar's last match with the national team was in October 2023, where he sustained a serious knee injury. Since his return to Santos, the club where he began his career in early 2025, Neymar has faced numerous physical setbacks, despite playing a crucial role in helping the team avoid relegation at the end of the previous season.
As reported by 24.ae.
