New Delhi: has been ruled out of Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches and is likely to miss their opener after suffering a grade-two calf injury, said the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Thursday.
The 34-year-old will be sidelined for two to three weeks.
“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,” CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.
He did not say whether Neymar could be dropped from the World Cup squad. Neymar had joined the Brazilian team on Tuesday but missed Wednesday’s first training session. He was sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for further tests after complaints of swelling in his right calf.
According to a Lasmar report, the MRI test showed a Grade 2 calf strain, which is a moderate injury involving a partial tear of the muscle fibers that requires rest and rehabilitation.
The diagnosis differs from what was presented by Santos before the World Cup squad announcement. The club’s doctor had stated the issue was merely swelling and that the forward would arrive fit to start training on Tuesday. But Neymar will now miss the friendly matches against Panama and Egypt.
Neymar likely to miss FIFA World Cup opener vs Morocco
He is also likely to be ruled out of Brazil’s World Cup opening match against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil are placed in Group C along with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.
Defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, and forward Gabriel Martinelli, are also set to miss Sunday’s match due to their involvement in the Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal on Saturday, May 30.
Neymar’s recall to the World Cup last week had generated massive excitement among fans after the forward had not featured in Ancelotti’s squads during the Italian’s year in charge. Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 international appearances for Brazil, but has endured years of injury problems and an underwhelming return to Santos.