Previously, coach Carlo Ancelotti surprised by adding Neymar to the list of the Brazilian national team participating in the 2026 World Cup, despite the fact that the star born in 1992 has continuously had physical problems in recent years.
However, on May 28, the medical department of the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed that Neymar suffered a serious injury and needs at least two to three weeks to recover. This information is contrary to the previous assessment from Santos, when the team said that the striker only suffered minor bruises and is still capable of playing.
After performing an MRI, doctors determined that Neymar had a second-degree muscle tear in the calf area. This injury caused a significant part of the muscle fibers to be damaged, accompanied by bleeding and inflammation.
With the current situation, Neymar will definitely be absent from Brazil's upcoming friendly matches against Panama and Egypt. The possibility of playing in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco on June 13 is also questioned.
Many Brazilian fans expressed disappointment when saying that Neymar had not publicly announced his exact health status. On football forums, many opinions have emerged suspecting that the 34-year-old star tried to hide his injury to attend the biggest football festival on the planet.
Brazilian media also questioned Neymar's ability to play at high intensity if he has not fully recovered. Some opinions suggest that the Brazilian team should consider alternative options to avoid risks before the tournament.
According to FIFA regulations, teams participating in the World Cup are allowed to replace players who are seriously injured or ill within 24 hours before the first match, provided that they are confirmed by the FIFA medical department.
In case he does not recover in time, Neymar could be completely removed from Brazil's official list at the last minute. This will be a big loss for the South American team as well as the striker who once wore the Barcelona shirt, when the 2026 World Cup is considered one of the last opportunities for him to conquer the title he lacked in his career.
