Brazil’s record goalscorer Neymar could miss the World Cup due to a calf injury that will keep him out for up to three weeks.
The debate as to whether the Santos forward would make Carlo Ancelotti’s squad dominated the build-up to the selection on May 18 with the 34-year-old eventually named in the 26 to much fanfare.
However, his absence from the initial training sessions had become worry and the severity of the issue has now been revealed.
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lamar said in a statement: “Neymar did the complementary medical tests yesterday and we ended up with an MRI, which confirmed a grade two injury to the calf.
“He is still undergoing treatment, and in two or three weeks he will be reassessed.”
Will Ancelotti stick with Neymar or name replacement?
It leaves Ancelotti in a difficult position before he has to finalise his squad ahead of the June 1 deadline. Does he take Neymar and accept he won’t be fit for Brazil’s first two Group C games against Morocco and Haiti, and potentially the third against Scotland, or name a replacement?
The former Real Madrid boss was adamant prior to selecting Neymar that he would only be included if he was 100% fit having struggled to fully overcome the ruptured ACL he suffered in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on October 17, 2023.
Having given him the opportunity, this is a cruel twist of fate for a player who has struggled with repeated niggles for the past three years.
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