Rodrigo Lasmar has confirmed that Neymar Jr will be sidelined for up to three weeks after picking up a calf injury shortly before next month’s World Cup.
Neymar was named in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the FIFA tournament, but he now faces a race against time to be fit for what would be his fourth appearance at the competition.
João Pedro of Chelsea was the most notable omission from the squad, with Neymar selected ahead of him despite not featuring for Brazil in nearly three years due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The 34-year-old suffered the setback during a 3-0 loss to Coritiba on May 17 and has since missed three matches, although he initially believed the injury was not serious.
However, Lasmar confirmed Neymar will miss Brazil’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt, while his availability for the opening group match against Morocco remains uncertain.
“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.
Brazil are also scheduled to face Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia before concluding their Group C fixtures against Scotland at Hard Rock Stadium five days later.
Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping Neymar recovers in time, given his importance to the team as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.
Neymar has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 13 World Cup matches, placing him among Brazil’s most productive players in the tournament’s history.
He is also one of only three players to score and assist in the last three World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi and Luka Modrić.
