Brazil's forward will miss the team's opening match against Morocco on June 13 due to a grade two calf injury confirmed by the national team doctor.
11:09 AM
Neymar will be unavailable for Brazil's World Cup campaign opener after sustaining a calf injury, Brazil's national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Thursday.
Lasmar confirmed at a press conference that Neymar is expected to miss "two to three weeks" following a grade two calf injury to his right leg. The injury was identified through an MRI scan conducted after the 34-year-old forward arrived at Brazil's training facility, Granja Comary, on Wednesday for a full medical examination.
"He arrived at Granja Comary yesterday, underwent a full medical examination, which included an MRI scan that revealed a grade two calf injury, not just swelling," Lasmar said. "He is expected to be fit to play in two to three weeks."
The injury timeline places Neymar's return in question for Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on June 13, which is 16 days away. Neymar was named to Brazil's squad for the tournament earlier this month despite not having played for the national team since 2023.
The forward sustained the injury while playing for his club side Santos. He missed Brazil's first training session at Granja Comary on Thursday and was referred to a private clinic in Teresopolis for additional imaging tests, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.
Neymar's absence from the squad's initial preparations marks a setback for Brazil as the team begins its World Cup campaign. The CBF did not provide further details regarding his status beyond the medical assessment conducted by Lasmar.
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