Neymar, Brazil’s record scorer, has not played since 2023 and is now facing injury concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He missed Brazil’s first training session to undergo medical tests after recovering from a right calf injury. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed he did not participate in a closed session at Granja Comary and was sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging. No additional information will be released until the national team medical staff complete assessments. His absence became the main focus during the second day of camp. Brazil will hold more sessions before a friendly against Panama, while key players are unavailable due to the Champions League final. Neymar’s return had generated excitement, but his fitness and form remain under scrutiny. Brazil’s next friendlies include Egypt before the World Cup opener against Morocco.
"Brazil's record scorer, Neymar, has not played since 2023, but injury now appears to threaten his World Cup comeback. Brazil's World Cup preparations were jolted as Neymar missed the national team's first training session to undergo medical tests, leaving his place in the squad hanging in the balance. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the 34-year-old forward, who is recovering from an injury to his right calf, did not take part in the closed session at their facilities in Granja Comary and was referred to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests."
"In a statement, the CBF said no further information will be released until the Brazilian national team's medical staff have completed their assessments, but Neymar's absence quickly became the dominant storyline on the second day of Brazil's training camp for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil will hold three further sessions at Granja Comary before Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is already without three players for that fixture."
"Defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, along with forward Gabriel Martinelli, are involved in Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar's recall last week generated widespread excitement because he had not featured in Ancelotti's plans during the Italian's year in charge. Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, Neymar has not played for his country since 2023."
"His return to the fold came amid scrutiny over his fitness and form following years of injury trouble and an underwhelming spell back at Santos. The timing could hardly be more delicate. After facing Panama, Brazil meet Egypt in Cleveland in their final friendly before opening their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco have been drawn in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland."
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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