Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has confirmed Neymar’s World Cup participation is in doubt after the Santos forward suffered calf injury.
Neymar will miss Brazil’s two warm-up friendlies against Panama on Sunday and Egypt on June 6 and faces a race to be fit in time for their opening World Cup group game against Morocco on June 13.
The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain playmaker initially played down the severity of the injury, sustained in Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba 11 days ago.
Speaking at a press conference, Lasmar confirmed: An update on the player, Neymar. He showed up here yesterday and he underwent all the medical exams and we finished with an MRI that identified a grade two muscle injury in his calf.
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He will continue his treatment but our expectation is that he will be cleared within two to three weeks.
‘He is with us he having intensive treatment and we are able to evaluate his condition day by day but the expectation is that.
Neymar has been dogged by injury issues in recent seasons and ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee while playing for Brazil against Uruguay in October 2023.
He has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for his country and is hoping to appear at a fourth World Cup when his side’s campaign gets underway in just under a fortnight’s time.
Fellow Brazil stalwart Casemiro also spoke to the media on Friday and urged calmness over Neymar’s situation.
He said: ‘Regarding Neymar it was good the doctor came here so that there wouldn’t be so many questions because we know how great Neymar is.
‘I think the doctor has already made very clear what his progress is, I think we have to respect that.
‘Of course, no player likes being injured but hopefully Neymar and all the players will be healthy enough to play the games.
‘We know we need all the players. I think the doctor has made clear the recovery will be day by day.
‘Neymar is an experienced player from the generation like mine he is going to his fourth World Cup.
‘He’s been through countless things in football and has great experience. We know having that mix between experienced and the young players is important to win titles.’