Neymar Expected to Recover from Calf Injury for Brazil World Cup Squad

Neymar has sustained a minor calf injury but is expected to recover in time to join Brazil’s World Cup training camp next week, ahead of the tournament starting June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 34-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, was named to the squad on Monday, marking his return after a lengthy injury layoff that sidelined him for most of the qualifying campaign as Brazil pursues a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

Much of the buildup to the squad announcement centered on coach Carlo Ancelotti’s decision whether to include Neymar, who had not been recalled under the Italian manager since he took charge of Brazil last year.

Ancelotti, who previously managed Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, had left out the former Barcelona and PSG attacker, who now plays for Santos and is set to feature at his fourth World Cup in pursuit of his first world title.

“Neymar has a minor calf injury, an oedema,” Santos’ head of medical services Rodrigo Zogaib told Brazil’s ge.globo on Wednesday. “But, according to our planning, his progress will allow him to be fit next week when he will join up with the national team.”

Neymar, who has not played for Brazil since 2023, continues to face scrutiny over his fitness and form, despite his status as the country’s all-time leading scorer.

His stint at Saudi club Al-Hilal was disrupted by injuries, and he returned to boyhood club Santos last year but has struggled to recapture his best form.

Neymar missed Santos’s 2-2 home draw with San Lorenzo in the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday as a result of the calf issue.

Brazil open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey, before facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

They are scheduled to play warm-up matches against Panama on May 31 and Egypt in the lead-up to the tournament.