‘What Problem?’: Neymar Shrugs Off Injury Concerns Ahead of FIFA World Cup Return

Brazil star Neymar does not expect his calf injury to hinder his FIFA World Cup campaign.

The veteran striker will report for national team duty after having been benched for his club Santos' last three matches due to a bruised right calf.

On being asked about his calf as he watched Santos defeat Deportivo Cuenca 3-0 in Tuesday's Copa Sudamericana match at Vila Belmiro, Neymar said as quoted by ESPN: "It is right here, in one piece."

The 34-year-old sustained a calf injury in Santos colours during their 3-0 loss to Coritiba on May 17. But when he was asked if the injury would affect his World Cup campaign, he simply said, "What problem?"

Despite Neymar's optimism about featuring prominently in the World Cup, Brazil's medical staff is taking precautions and has drawn a proper plan for him, as per his condition.

Sources have also told ESPN that Neymar's right calf swelling will need proper recovery time and is not minor. The time off needed could be longer than what was initially stated by Santos.

Hence, it's unlikely that Neymar will be fit to play in the warm-up games against Panama and Egypt, to be held on May 31 and June 5, respectively.

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.

Brazil coach Carlo 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)