Overview
- The Brazil national team’s medical staff said on Thursday that an MRI found a second-degree muscle injury in Neymar’s right calf and that he is expected to need two to three weeks to recover.
- As a result, Neymar will miss Brazil’s last pre-tournament friendlies against Panama and Egypt and is unlikely to be fit for the Seleção’s opening World Cup match.
- The national team diagnosis contradicts FC Santos’ earlier assessment that Neymar had only an oedema with no structural damage, creating a public dispute over his condition.
- Brazilian media reported that Neymar was examined for about 90 minutes at the Teresópolis diagnostic center and that the clinic was closed for his appointment with staff reportedly asked to sign nondisclosure agreements.
- Coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a time-sensitive decision because FIFA requires final squad paperwork by June 1, so Brazil must quickly choose whether to keep Neymar in the 26-man list or name a replacement.