Neymar's World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy After Injury Update

Asher Hyre Updated: 2 hours ago

Brazil's national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, has confirmed that star forward Neymar has sustained an injury, ruling him out of the team's upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies.

The Brazilian national team is facing a significant setback just weeks before the World Cup. Following medical examinations in Teresópolis, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar diagnosed the Santos forward with a Grade 2 muscle injury.

No. 10 has already begun intensive treatment and will miss Brazil's friendly matches against Panama on May 31 and Egypt on June 6. The coaching staff is monitoring his recovery daily to assess his condition ahead of the tournament's opening match.

What is Neymar's recovery timeline?

According to Dr. Lasmar, Neymar's treatment is expected to last between two and three weeks.

Will Neymar play in Brazil's opening match?

At this stage, Neymar's participation in Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 is considered unlikely. With just over two weeks until the game, it is improbable that the forward will be in optimal condition to start.

The current expectation is that Neymar will continue his physical recovery until just before the tournament begins. Depending on his clinical progress, he may be available as an option from the bench.

Is Neymar at risk of being cut from the squad?

Despite the concern, there is no immediate risk of Neymar being dropped from the World Cup squad. The coaching staff, led by Carlo Ancelotti, will continue to monitor the player's recovery before making any final decisions.

Prior to the final squad announcement, Ancelotti had stated he would prioritize players who were "100% physically fit," yet still included Neymar in the Brazilian roster.

The situation now hinges on how the forward responds to treatment in the coming weeks.