Brazilian soccer is on edge. Neymar has gone down with an injury again just one month before the World Cup opens. Fortunately, the diagnosis is that it is not a serious injury, but the Brazil national team is expected to closely monitor his condition until the last moment.
Global outlet ESPN reported on the 21st (KST), "Neymar will miss part of Santos' match schedule due to a calf injury," and "however, he is likely to join the Brazil national team training camp normally."
Neymar is currently focusing on rehabilitation training at Santos' Rei Pelé Training Center in Brazil. The medical staff of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) are also reportedly managing his condition directly.
Santos' head of medical staff, Rodrigo Jogailve, explained that a 2mm swelling was found on Neymar's right calf. Swelling and pain accompanied it, but fortunately it is reported not to be at the stage of severe muscle damage.
From the Brazil national team's perspective, it is a result to breathe a sigh of relief over.
Neymar was included in Brazil's final 2026 FIFA World Cup roster for North and Central America. After distancing himself from the national team since October 2023, he returned as a key resource to the national team following the appointment of coach Carlo Ancelotti.
In particular, coach Ancelotti is said to have highly valued Neymar's experience and leadership. He judged that Neymar's presence was necessary in the current Brazil squad, which has many young players.
But concerns are growing as another injury has occurred just before the World Cup.
On the 17th, Neymar complained of pain in his right calf during the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A match against Coritiba at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. Santos suffered a 0-3 defeat at the time, and Neymar was unable to finish the match normally.
The Brazil coaching staff were also reportedly tense.
ESPN said, "The Brazil coaching staff worried about Neymar's condition until just before the final World Cup roster announcement," and explained, "because the injury could affect early national team training and whether he would play against Panama."
In the end, Neymar was also left off the roster for the subsequent San Lorenzo match. He is also likely to miss the upcoming matches against Grêmio and Deportivo Cuenca.
Brazil is regarded as a strong favorite to win this World Cup. Although young attacking players such as Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Endrick have developed, Neymar still remains at the center of the team.
Ultimately, the key is his physical condition. With the World Cup one month away, Brazil is once again focusing attention on Neymar's leg.
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