Brazil will be without Neymar for their final pre-tournament friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday, with the Santos forward remaining at the squad’s training base in New Jersey to continue his rehabilitation from a calf injury.
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed in an official statement on Thursday that the 34-year-old would not travel with Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the dress rehearsal, with medical staff opting to intensify his physiotherapy programme rather than subject him to the demands of travel. The decision reflects the urgency surrounding his recovery, with Brazil’s opening World Cup fixture fast approaching.
Neymar has been sidelined for nearly three weeks after sustaining a grade two calf strain during Santos’s 3-0 defeat to Coritiba at the Neo Quimica Arena in the Campeonato Brasileiro. He has not featured for club or country since that afternoon, and the severity of the muscle tear has prompted a cautious approach from the national team’s medical department.
Despite the uncertainty, Ancelotti has been unequivocal in his support for the forward. Speaking ahead of Brazil’s previous friendly against Panama, the coach said Neymar would definitely be part of the squad for the tournament. He indicated the expectation was for Neymar to be fit for the opening match against Morocco, or at the latest the second group game against Haiti, and stated clearly that all 26 selected players would feature at the World Cup. Ancelotti has also held individual meetings with Neymar to outline his tactical expectations, and expressed confidence that the forward is in the right frame of mind despite the disrupted preparation.
Neymar’s inclusion in the squad had already generated considerable debate when it was announced last month, with Chelsea forward Joao Pedro among the notable players left out to accommodate him.
Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on 13 June, before further group fixtures against Haiti on 19 June and Scotland on 24 June.
