Neymar was a surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. And as it turns out, his minutes at the tournament are likely to be very limited, having suffered an injury just two weeks before the start of the competition.
Neymar had been playing in recent weeks with Santos, doing everything he could to convince Ancelotti to include him in the 26-man squad. But the defeat to Coritiba last weekend proved fatal for the 34-year-old, as he suffered a calf injury.
Initially, Santos had stated that Neymar had not suffered any injury, but after examinations carried out by the Brazilian national team's doctors, it was confirmed that he has a second-degree injury to his calf, according to the Brazilian Football Federation.
"Yesterday Neymar underwent all the medical tests, including an MRI, which confirmed a second-degree injury to the pulp. He is expected to recover within two or three weeks," the statement said.
Fortunately for Neymar, the injury is not serious enough to rule him out of the entire 2026 World Cup, but a three-week absence would mean he misses Brazil's opening match against Morocco, which takes place on June 13 in New Jersey.
Brazil's second match, against Haiti, is played six days later and Neymar is expected to be ready to contribute in that match.
Of course, it's not an ideal situation for the former FC Barcelona star to enter the World Cup with an injury. It may have also changed Ancelotti's plans for the tournament if the Italian coach had seen Neymar as a starter.
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