Brazilian Football Confederation says he is continuing physical training program

Brazil forward Neymar, who is set to appear in his fourth World Cup [AFP]
Brazil forward Neymar, who is set to appear in his fourth World Cup [AFP]

Neymar, the Brazilian superstar who suffered a calf injury before joining the national squad, is showing steady signs of recovery, raising hopes he will be fit to play at the 2026 North America World Cup.

The Brazilian Football Confederation said Monday that an MRI scan of Neymar's calf had confirmed his treatment was progressing well, and that he would continue the recovery and physical training program laid out by the team's medical staff.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer in international matches with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was named to Carlo Ancelotti's final 26-man squad on May 19, setting the stage for his fourth World Cup appearance — having previously featured in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

On the first day of the squad's training camp, Neymar underwent a detailed medical examination and was found to have a grade-2 calf muscle tear, casting doubt over his participation. Ancelotti said he would not change the squad and made clear he intended to bring Neymar to the tournament.

"I believed Neymar could play at the World Cup," Ancelotti said. "Even if he is not ready for the first match, he should be able to play in the second." The coach did not waver in his confidence in the 34-year-old Santos forward.

Neymar ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during a South American World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, and underwent multiple surgeries before eventually earning a place in the final squad for the North America tournament.

Having missed both pre-tournament friendlies — a 6-2 win over Panama and a 2-1 victory over Egypt — Neymar is focused solely on getting fit in time for Brazil's Group C opener against Morocco, scheduled for June 14.


yjc@heraldcorp.com