Brasilia, May 28 (SANA) Neymar missed Brazil’s first training session ahead of the World Cup on Wednesday to undergo medical tests on a calf injury, raising concerns over his fitness less than three weeks before the tournament begins.
The Brazilian Football Confederation said the 34-year-old forward, who is recovering from a right calf problem, skipped a closed session at the Granja Comary training center and was sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for scans.
The federation said no further details would be released until the national team’s medical staff completed its evaluation.
Neymar’s absence became the main talking point in Brazil’s camp as coach Carlo Ancelotti prepares for warm-up matches against Panama and Egypt before the World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.
Brazil will also be without defender Gabriel, captain Marquinhos and forward Gabriel Martinelli for Sunday’s friendly against Panama because of their participation in the Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury against Uruguay in a 2023 World Cup qualifier.
Neymar has scored six goals and registered four assists in 15 appearances this year, though Brazil’s staff have carefully managed his playing time since his return from knee surgery.
Ancelotti told Reuters recently that Neymar would not receive special treatment and that selection decisions would depend on fitness and performance.
Brazilians are awaiting the test results as uncertainty grows over whether Neymar will be fully fit for the World Cup.
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