Just two weeks before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the Brazilian National Team received news that set off all the alarms: Neymar suffered a muscle injury and his presence in the debut of the Verdeamarela is now in doubt.
Concern began days ago when the Brazilian star missed several consecutive matches. His last game was on May 17, in the tough 3-0 defeat of Santos against Coritiba. After that match, the former Barcelona player did not play again and missed the games against San Lorenzo and Cuenca in the Copa Sudamericana, as well as the clash against Gremio in the Brasileirao. Even after his call-up was confirmed, the forwardcould not train with the rest of the Canarinha squad at Granja Comary and had to undergo additional tests at a private clinic.
After several days of uncertainty, the results finally confirmed the worst scenario: the striker suffered a grade 2 tear in his right calf. Rodrigo Lasmar, the Brazilian national team's doctor, explained that recovery will take between two and three weeks, a timeline that leaves him very tight for the start of the World Cup tournament.
Neymar could miss the World Cup debut against Morocco.
As a consequence of the injury, Neymar will not be able to participate in the preparatory friendlies that Brazil will play against Panama (on May 31 at Maracanã) andEgypt (on June 6 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland). The big question now is whether he will be fit for the World Cup debut against Morocco, scheduled for June 13 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just 16 days after the injury was confirmed.
For now, Carlo Ancelotti's coaching staff will closely monitor the progress of the recovery of one of Brazil's main emblems, hoping he will be fit for what will be his fourth World Cup.
