Neymar Ruled Out of Brazil Friendlies, Set to Miss World Cup Opener with Calf Injury

Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's national football team's upcoming friendlies and is set to miss their FIFA World Cup opener after scans confirmed a Grade 2 calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday.

CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed that the veteran forward will require around two to three weeks of recovery, dealing a major setback to Brazil ahead of the tournament.

"Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade-two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks," Lasmar said as quoted by Reuters.

Lasmar did not clarify whether Neymar could be dropped from Brazil's squad.

The striker had joined the national camp earlier this week but missed the first training session and was later sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for further medical tests after complaining of swelling in his right calf.

However, MRI results revealed not just swelling as initially thought, but a Grade 2 calf strain -- a partial tear of muscle fibres that requires rest and rehabilitation.

As a result, Brazil's all-time leading scorer will miss the friendly against Panama at the Maracanã and the following fixture against Egypt in Cleveland.

He is also highly unlikely to feature in Brazil's World Cup opener against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti was already without defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos and forward Gabriel Martinelli for the Panama friendly due to their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

On Tuesday, Neymar appeared unconcerned about his fitness when asked about the injury after attending Santos' 3-0 Copa Sudamericana win over Deportivo Cuenca at Vila Belmiro, responding, "What problem?"

Brazil's quest for a record sixth title will start against Morocco on June 13. Neymar, the team's leading goal-scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national side since sustaining an ACL tear in October 2023.

Neymar was included in the 26-member squad for the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This will be his fourth World Cup appearance, and he will be eyeing his first-ever FIFA World Cup trophy. In 2014, Brazil finished fourth, while it faced quarterfinal exits in the next two tournaments.

Ancelotti had omitted Neymar from his previous call-ups, repeatedly stressing that only players with 100 per cent physical capacity would be considered.

(With inputs from ANI)