An appearance in the Americas this summer will be Neymar’s fourth appearance at the tournament
Neymar has suffered a calf injury less than a week after being selected in Brazil’s 26-man squad. Nevertheless, he is expected to join their World Cup preparations on schedule, with the injury described as minor.
The medical chief at Santos, Rodrigo Zogaib, confirmed on Wednesday that the forward has a 2-millimetre oedema in his right calf, causing swelling.
“Neymar has a minor calf injury, an oedema,” Zogaib said. “But, according to our planning, his progress will allow him to be fit next week when he will join up with the national team.”
The 34-year-old has been undergoing treatment at Santos’ training centre alongside his personal staff and remains under observation from doctors working with the Brazilian football federation.
The injury surfaced after Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on Sunday, when Neymar received treatment during the match before being substituted in the second half. He is expected to miss their upcoming matches against Gremio and Deportivo Cuenca but will join the national team camp afterwards.
It took a while before Carlo Ancelotti made the decision to include Neymar in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup, largely due to his recurrent injury problems.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man has not played for the Seleção since October 2023. An appearance in the Americas this summer will be Neymar’s fourth appearance at the tournament.
