Neymar suffers injury scare ahead of World Cup, Brazil struggle to update fitness

Santos’ Neymar (AP Photo) Brazil have major injury concerns ahead of the World Cup, with Neymar now a doubt for the opening stages of the tournament after suffering a calf injury.The 34-year-old forward is expected to spend the next two to three weeks recovering after medical tests confirmed a grade two muscle problem. Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar provided an update from the national team’s pre-World Cup training camp near Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.An MRI “identified a grade two muscle injury … we expect him to be available in two to three weeks,” Lasmar said.The injury means Neymar will miss Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against Panama and Egypt. His availability for Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 also remains uncertain.Neymar joined Brazil’s squad at the training base on Wednesday, but did not take part in the team’s opening training session.The Santos forward has already been absent from his club’s recent games, with coach Cuca previously describing the problem as a “light injury”.Neymar’s selection in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad has already sparked debate due to his long absence from the national team. The Brazilian superstar has not featured for his country in nearly three years after a difficult spell marred by injuries and inconsistent form.Earlier this year, Ancelotti ruled Neymar out of Brazil’s March friendlies against France and Croatia, citing concerns about the forward’s fitness and fitness.Despite doubts over his fitness, Neymar’s importance to Brazil remains undeniable. With 79 goals in 128 games for the Selecao, he is still the all-time top scorer.The upcoming tournament will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance. His last match for Brazil came back in 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.