News Focus
- Neymar ruled out of Brazil’s opening World Cup fixture against Morocco on Saturday
- 34-year-old recovering from calf injury and yet to resume full training
- Manager Carlo Ancelotti expects him to return to squad sessions next week
- Record goalscorer could miss second group game against Haiti on 20 June
- Santos forward has not played for Brazil since 2023 due to fitness problems
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar will miss Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco this Saturday. The 34-year-old forward is still recovering from a calf problem and has not returned to full training.
The Santos attacker will rejoin the squad for group sessions next week. This timeline makes him doubtful for Brazil’s second group fixture against Haiti on 20 June.
Brazil conclude their group stage against Scotland on 24 June. The team must manage their campaign without their record goalscorer for at least the first match.
Ancelotti praised the star’s importance to the squad. “Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible,” he said. “We call him up not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group.”
Neymar has not featured for the Selecao since 2023 because of ongoing injury struggles. Despite this, Ancelotti selected him ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison for the tournament.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has scored 79 goals in 128 caps for Brazil. He surpassed Pele’s record of 77 goals to become the country’s all-time leading scorer.
This tournament could mark Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance. He has previously represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.