On May 29, Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that striker Neymar has suffered a grade-two calf injury, a moderate muscle tear. The 34-year-old forward is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks, definitively missing the team's friendlies and making it highly unlikely he will be fit for Brazil's World Cup opener.
Speaking during a pre-match press conference with players, Dr. Lasmar stated: “Neymar arrived at Granja Comary yesterday, underwent a full medical assessment, and the MRI revealed a grade-two calf injury — not just swelling. His recovery is projected at two to three weeks.”
Earlier, Neymar joined the squad on Tuesday but skipped the first training session on Wednesday. He was taken to a private clinic in Teresópolis for an MRI after complaining of pain and swelling in his right calf. Dr. Lasmar confirmed the MRI showed no edema, as initially reported, but a grade-two muscle lesion — a partial tear of muscle fibers requiring rest and rehabilitation.
This diagnosis contradicts an earlier assessment from Santos' club doctor, Rodrigo Zogaib, who had said the issue was merely swelling and that Neymar would be fit to train from Tuesday.
As a result, Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer will miss the friendly against Panama on Sunday at the Maracanã, as well as the match against Egypt in Cleveland. His chances of being ready for the World Cup opener against Morocco (reigning African champions) on June 13 in New Jersey are virtually nil.
Brazil are drawn in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland. Meanwhile, head coach Carlo Ancelotti is also without defenders Gabriel Magalhães, Marquinhos and forward Gabriel Martinelli as they are involved in the Champions League final this weekend between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar's return to the national team last week had sparked widespread excitement, after being omitted from Ancelotti's plans for the past year. The forward — who has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil — has struggled with recurring injuries and an underwhelming comeback at Santos.
In an interview with Reuters earlier this month, Ancelotti said Neymar would receive no special treatment and that a place in the squad would depend solely on fitness and form, not sentiment. Now, Brazil must plan without him.
