Brazil faces a major setback as forward Neymar unexpectedly missed the team's first training session at the Granja Comary training center. Instead, he was taken to a private clinic in Teresopolis for scans and tests on his right calf, which was already recovering from an injury.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Neymar did not take part in the closed training session and had been referred for medical evaluation. The CBF stated it would not release further information until the medical team completes its assessment. The 34-year-old's absence quickly became the focus of attention on the second day of the training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Brazil will hold three more sessions at Granja Comary before a friendly against Panama on Sunday at the Maracana stadium. Coach Carlo Ancelotti is also missing three other players — defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, and forward Gabriel Martinelli — because they are playing in the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Neymar's call-up last week came as a surprise and sparked great excitement, since he had not been part of Coach Ancelotti's plans since the Italian took over the team. Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, but he has not played for the national team since 2023. His return has been met with questions over his form and fitness after years of recurring injuries and a lackluster spell back at Santos.
The timing is particularly sensitive. After the Panama match, Brazil will play Egypt in Cleveland before beginning their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco are in Group C along with Haiti and Scotland.
Earlier, Coach Ancelotti stressed that reputation would not guarantee Neymar a starting place. He declared Neymar would receive no special treatment and that a spot in the lineup would depend on fitness and form, not sentiment. For now, Brazil awaits the medical verdict to learn whether their brightest star can return to the pitch in the coming month.
