Neymar, concentrated with the Brazilian team for the 2026 World Cupunderwent a new MRI this Monday, June 8, 2026, which showed a “good evolution” of his muscle injury in the calf, “within the expected parameters.”
The 10th of Saints “The recovery and physical preparation process planned by the medical commission will follow,” noted the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in a note.
Neymar, included at the last minute in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s list for the World Cup, has been out since May 17, when he felt a puncture in his right calf during a Brasileirão match.
His club minimized the problem to edema and, a day later, the Italian coach called him up for the World Cup, amidst the clamor of part of the Canarinha locker room, former players and fans.
However, the CBF wanted to have its own diagnosis and, as soon as the training camp began, on May 27, in Rio de Janeiro, it subjected the former FC Barcelona player to new tests that confirmed an injury more serious than expected.
All in all, ‘Carletto’ guaranteed the presence of the Mogi das Cruzes player in the final phase of the World Cup, which starts this Thursday in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Since then, Neymar has worked out in the gym and has barely stepped foot on the grass to make slight movements. In this sense, he missed the two previous friendlies against Panama (6-2) and Egypt (2-1), the latter in Cleveland.
In fact, Brazil’s all-time top scorer did not even travel to Cleveland for this last test and he stayed in New Jersey, headquarters of the Verdeamarela, with the intention of speeding up his rehabilitation.
Ancelotti said in a press conference that he is confident that the attacker will return to training with the group this week, although he is still a doubt for the debut against Morocco, on Saturday, at the Metlife Stadium.
This is not the first setback for the former Real Madrid coach. Last Saturday, in the match against Egypt, lost Wesley due to injury and recalled the Roma full-back given the extent of the problem detected in the abductor of his left thigh.