Neymar set to miss Brazil World Cup opener due to calf injury

Neymar suffered a grade-two calf injury while playing for Santos in Brazil’s domestic league. Scans confirmed a moderate calf strain involving a partial tear of muscle fibres rather than simple swelling. He underwent medical tests after reporting for duty at Granja Comary, including an MRI scan. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed he will be sidelined for two to three more weeks. As a result, he is ruled out of friendlies against Panama and Egypt. He is also expected to miss Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13. Brazil’s squad already faces other absences due to Champions League final commitments.

"Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's upcoming friendlies and is set to miss their World Cup opener after scans revealed a grade-two calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed. CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar delivered the blow on Thursday ahead of a players' media conference, confirming the 34-year-old forward faces two to three more weeks on the sidelines."

"Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade-two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks, Lasmar said. He did not say whether Neymar could be dropped from the squad."

"He had joined the team on Tuesday but missed Wednesday's first training session and was sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests after complaints of swelling in his right calf. According to Lasmar, the MRI showed not swelling, as previously reported, but a grade-two calf strain a moderate injury involving a partial tear of the muscle fibres that requires rest and rehabilitation."

"Instead, Brazil's all-time leading scorer will miss Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana, and the subsequent match against Egypt in Cleveland. He is also all but ruled out of Brazil's World Cup opener against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil are in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland."

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