What Neymar's calf injury means for World Cup status and Brazil's potential replacements
Brazil said Neymar is expected to miss two to three weeks, leaving him in doubt for the team’s World Cup opener.
- Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed on Thursday that Neymar suffered a grade 2 calf strain, leaving the 34-year-old forward doubtful for Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13.
- Neymar sustained the injury during his final Santos appearance before joining Brazil's camp, striking after more than two years away from international duty following his inclusion in Ancelotti's squad.
- An MRI scan at Granja Comary revealed the grade 2 muscle strain, with Lasmar stating recovery is expected in two to three weeks; Neymar will miss friendlies against Panama on May 31 and Egypt on June 5.
- Brazil midfielder Casemiro told reporters Thursday that recovery is progressing daily, while the squad has attacking depth with Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Thiago and Rayan available.
- A more realistic return target is Brazil's June 19 match against Haiti, though FIFA rules permit squad changes up to 24 hours before the tournament if Ancelotti must replace the forward.
24 Articles
24 Articles
Neymar injured, unlikely to be fit for World Cup first game
RIO DE JANEIRO — Picking injury-prone Neymar in Brazil’s World Cup squad seemed a risk and so it proved just 10 days later on Thursday. The 34-year-old forward has a calf injury and likely will not be fit for Brazil’s opening game against Morocco, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said. “The expectation is that he will be sidelined from two to three weeks,” Lasmar told reporters. Brazil plays Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to start …
It has been revealed that the calf injury of Neymar (Santos), who dramatically made the final roster for the Brazilian national football team to play in the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup, is more serious than expected. Global sports media outlet ESPN reported on the 28th (local time) that “according to Brazil’s team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, Neymar will be out for up to three weeks due to a right calf muscle sprain.”
The historic player has a second-degree injury to the right calf that discards him for the debut in the World Cup against Morocco.
Neymar at risk of missing World Cup opener as star suffers fresh injury agony
Neymar is aiming to play a big part in a fourth World Cup campaign for Brazil but the Santos attacker is struggling with a calf injury which could may rule him out of their opening game
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
