Issue has become a source of some confusion after national team received differing assessments of the player’s condition
Brazil are set to assess Neymar’s fitness when the squad reports for World Cup preparations next week amid concerns over a calf injury that could rule the forward out of the team’s final warm-up matches.
The Santos player was included in Brazil’s 26-man squad but sustained yet another injury the same week.
He is due to undergo medical examinations when Brazil assemble at Granja Comary on 27 May, with Carlo Ancelotti’s staff seeking clarity on his condition before the squad travels to America for the tournament.
The issue has become a source of some confusion after differing assessments emerged over the severity of the injury. Santos have described the problem as a mild calf oedema and suggested Neymar could still feature in their fixture against Deportivo Cuenca on 26 May.
Brazil’s football federation, however, is understood to have received information indicating the problem may require a longer recovery period, prompting the national team to delay any judgement until their own medical staff evaluate the player.
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Cada gota de suor, cada dividida, cada grito de gol. A partir de hoje, o batimento cardíaco de mais de 200 milhões de brasileiros está sintonizado com um único objetivo: A… pic.twitter.com/oGm9PadCMd
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Ancelotti has reportedly made clear that Neymar will undergo the same assessment process as any other player carrying an injury concern, with the new Brazil coach keen to avoid any sense of favouritism ahead of the tournament.
The injury has already cast doubt over Neymar’s involvement in Brazil’s final friendly prep games against Panama on 31 May and Egypt on 5 June. The forward is considered unlikely to feature in both games as he targets fitness for the World Cup itself.
Brazil begin their campaign against Morocco on 13 June. The CBF is not expected to make any decision regarding squad changes or replacements until after Neymar’s assessment on 27 May.
