RIO DE JANEIRO — The decision to include injury-prone superstar Neymar in Brazil's squad for the World Cup has backfired, as it has now been confirmed that he is facing a calf injury that may sideline him for critical matches. Just ten days after the announcement of the team, the 34-year-old forward's condition has raised concerns about his availability for Brazil's opening match against Morocco, scheduled for June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar provided insights into Neymar's situation, stating, "The expectation is that he will be out for two to three weeks," as he addressed reporters regarding the injury.
Neymar arrived on Wednesday at the Granja Comary training facility, located near Rio de Janeiro, where he underwent medical examinations that revealed he has suffered a grade two calf injury. This unfortunate setback comes as he was selected for his fourth World Cup by coach Carlo Ancelotti, despite not having played for the national team since October 2023. During that match, Neymar suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while competing against Uruguay in World Cup qualifiers.
Since his return from Saudi Arabia, where he played for Al-Hilal, Neymar has participated in only a handful of matches with Santos. The FIFA World Cup regulations allow for a replacement player to be named for Neymar until the deadline of June 1, when Ancelotti must submit his final squad list, or until a day before Brazil's first match in the tournament. As the situation unfolds, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how this injury impacts Brazil’s chances in the World Cup, particularly with a group that also includes Haiti and Scotland.
As reported by latimes.com.
