Brazil’s national team medical staff have announced that Neymar is recovering well from a Grade 2 calf muscle tear.
While his latest MRI scan showed encouraging progress, his availability for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup opening match against Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Saturday remains uncertain.
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Neymar was initially ruled out for two to three weeks after suffering a grade-two muscle tear last month and has already missed Brazil’s recent warm-up matches against Panama and Egypt.
Fabrizio Romano, via his X account, shared a statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) regarding the progression of the number 10’s recovery. “Neymar underwent MRI on Monday and tests showed a good evolution in his treatment — within the expected parameters.”
The press release also added: “He will follow the recovery preparation process planned by the medical commission of the Brazilian National Team.”
Now 34, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain superstar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns, but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023.
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He has played in just half of his club’s games in the Brazilian league, cup, and Copa Sudamericana this year due to various fitness issues.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted last week that the player, now with Santos, would be ready for either Brazil’s first or second game and added that he was in no rush to bring him back.
