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Neymar Likely to Miss World Cup Group Stage

Brazil's medical team is preserving him for the knockout rounds to avoid a relapse that could end his tournament.

Overview

  • The forward missed full training and went for new tests on his right calf on Monday, and the Brazilian federation has not disclosed the results.
  • Neymar has been sidelined since suffering a grade-2 right calf strain on May 17 while playing for Santos and has not taken part in team sessions during camp.
  • Coaching and medical staff have agreed on a cautious plan that increasingly rules him out of group matches and aims to make him an impact option in the knockout phase.
  • Keeping Neymar in the 26-man squad is forcing selection trade-offs and tactical adjustments as Brazil prepare alternatives and plans for limited minutes if he is cleared.
  • Public debate grew after Brazil's 1-1 draw with Morocco and the team's next moves will hinge on imaging results, match results and tournament rules around late squad changes.