Neymar not – Neymar will stay in New Jersey to receive treatment for a calf injury and will not travel with Brazil’s World Cup team to Cleveland for its exhibition match against Egypt on Saturday.
In the middle of Brazil’s World Cup build-up, the team’s most important name will not be on the plane. Neymar is not travelling to Cleveland with Brazil’s World Cup squad for the exhibition tune-up against Egypt on Saturday, the Brazilian Football Confederation said Thursday.
The decision keeps the 34-year-old forward in New Jersey to undergo treatment. It follows guidance from the team doctor last week, who said Neymar was expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks because of a calf injury.
For Brazil, the timing lands uncomfortably close to the start of the tournament. Brazil’s opening World Cup game is June 13 against Morocco in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and it was not clear if Neymar would be ready to play in it.
Picking Neymar for the 26-player roster was always a calculated gamble. He is Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer with 79, but his recent fitness has been a problem. Since returning from tearing the ACL in his left knee in October 2023 in a World Cup qualifier. he has struggled to find full stability.
The debate around risk is now unavoidable. Neymar has played eight matches for Santos FC this year, recording four goals and two assists.
Brazil’s coach Carlos Ancelotti had tried to frame the injury scare as a manageable hurdle when he spoke last month. “He can still improve his fitness until the first match of the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. “He has experience in this kind of competition. the love of our group. he can create a better environment in this group.”.
At the same time, the roster is not set in stone for as long as the injury remains unresolved. FIFA rules allow an injured player to be replaced up to one day before a team’s first game at the tournament. If Neymar plays in the World Cup, it would be his fourth appearance.
Brazil has also continued to shape its leadership group while managing the uncertainty around its star. This week, Brazil named 32-year-old defender Marquinhos as captain. Speaking in Portuguese on Wednesday. Marquinhos said. “You think about all the legendary captains who have worn this armband before. so I feel very honoured and very happy.” He added. “Being captain isn’t simply about wearing the armband and playing football. It’s much more than that. It starts with the person and with what you can contribute to the group. to your teammates and to the team as a whole.”.
The message coming out of New Jersey is straightforward: treatment comes first, Cleveland comes second. With Morocco looming on June 13, Brazil’s next steps will be shaped as much by medical updates as by training sessions.
Neymar Brazil World Cup calf injury exhibition vs Egypt Cleveland Morocco East Rutherford Marquinhos captain Santos