Tag: Neymar

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided a significant update on Neymar’s recovery, casting doubt over the star forward’s availability for the Selecao’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture against Morocco.

Neymar has been sidelined since suffering a grade-two muscle tear in mid-May, an injury that forced him to miss Brazil’s final preparations ahead of the tournament.

The 34-year-old has already sat out the team’s two World Cup warm-up matches, including victories over Panama and Egypt.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s Group C opener, Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar is making progress but is not yet ready to return to full training.

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“He is working hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said. “We hope he can return to full training next week.”

Notably, Morocco arrive at the tournament with growing confidence after their historic run to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The clash is also notable as the only group-stage fixture featuring two nations currently ranked inside FIFA’s top 10, with Brazil sixth and Morocco seventh.

While Brazil defeated Morocco 3-0 during the group stage of the 1998 World Cup, the gap between the two nations has narrowed significantly in recent years.

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Neymar last appeared in competitive action on May 17 for Santos in the Brazilian league before sustaining the injury that interrupted his preparations for the World Cup.

Despite the fitness concerns, Ancelotti stressed the importance of Neymar’s presence within the squad, highlighting both his footballing quality and leadership qualities.

“We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can give to the younger players in the group,” Ancelotti said.

Should Neymar feature later in the tournament, he would become only the ninth Brazilian player to appear in four FIFA World Cups, joining an elite list that includes legends such as Pele and Ronaldo.

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Brazil star Neymar said he feels like a “kid” ahead of what will be the fourth and “final” FIFA World Cup, which could yet risk being derailed by a nagging calf injury.

The 34-year-old is a doubt for the start of Brazil’s World Cup campaign and is expected to miss their tournament opener against Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday.

But Brazil’s all-time record scorer is said to be “recovering well” and will hope to play a part for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the United States.

The five-time champions play Haiti on June 19 and face Scotland five days later in their final Group C match.

“Even though it’s my fourth World Cup, it’s a different feeling because of everything involved and, obviously, because it’s the final one,” Neymar said in a preview of the feature-length documentary “Vai, Brasil” (Go, Brazil), due to be released on Wednesday.

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Neymar has been an integral part of Brazil’s last three World Cup campaigns but there was some surprise at his inclusion this time as injuries have prevented him from playing for his country at all since 2023.

“I’m here feeling like a kid, like an 18-year-old going to his first World Cup,” said the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.

“I’m very proud, very happy to be here. I’m going to enjoy every second, every moment of this World Cup and I hope it will be special as well,” he added.

Neymar made his World Cup debut on home soil in 2014 but was sidelined by injury when Brazil lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-finals. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals at the past two tournaments.

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RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil have received an encouraging update on the fitness of star forward Neymar Jr. ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirming that the veteran attacker is making positive progress in his recovery from a calf injury.

Neymar has been sidelined since suffering a grade-two muscle tear last month, an injury that was initially expected to keep him out of action for up to three weeks.

With Brazil’s World Cup campaign fast approaching, concerns had grown over whether the country’s all-time leading goalscorer would be fit in time for the tournament.

However, a follow-up medical examination conducted earlier this week produced encouraging results. In a brief statement, the CBF said the latest scan showed the 34-year-old’s rehabilitation remains on schedule.

“The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters,” the CBF said. “He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”

Neymar has already missed Brazil’s two warm-up fixtures before the World Cup, including their emphatic 6-2 victory over Panama and a 2-1 win over Egypt.

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Despite the positive update, his availability for Brazil’s opening Group C fixture against Morocco on June 13 remains uncertain.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player has endured a difficult period due to injuries in recent years.

In October 2023, he suffered a serious knee injury while representing Brazil against Uruguay, rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee.

After returning to Brazilian football with Santos in early 2025, Neymar has continued battling fitness setbacks but remains determined to feature on the biggest stage once again.

With 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, Neymar is the nation’s all-time leading scorer and is aiming to play in his fourth FIFA World Cup, having previously featured in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.

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Brazilian club Santos have dismissed concerns surrounding the fitness of star player Neymar ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and remain confident the veteran forward will recover in time to feature in the tournament.

The 34-year-old joined Brazil’s training camp earlier this week, where further medical assessments confirmed a grade two muscle strain in his right calf.

Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar stated on Thursday that Neymar is expected to remain sidelined for at least two weeks, putting his participation in Brazil’s opening World Cup fixture against Morocco on June 13 in doubt.

The injury will also rule Neymar out of Brazil’s pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt.

Neymar sustained the injury during Santos’ 2-1 defeat to Coritiba on May 17, just one day before newly-appointed Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti announced his final squad for the tournament.

Santos had initially diagnosed the problem as calf oedema and believed the forward would recover in time for international duty.

However, following speculation over the handling of Neymar’s fitness, Santos issued an official statement defending the club’s medical process and insisting complete reports had already been shared with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

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“The two-week period began on the 17th and ends this Sunday, by which time the player should be fit to return to training,” the club stated.

“It should always be borne in mind that these estimates vary from person to person and depend on the team’s needs and the importance of the matches.”

Santos further stressed that their medical department has remained in constant coordination with Brazil’s national team staff throughout the recovery process.

“The Brazilian national team’s physiotherapy team also includes professionals from Santos FC who have been working with Neymar Jr. for over 10 years and throughout this entire recovery process,” the statement read.

“The club’s medical department is aligned with and in agreement with the treatment schedule set by the CBF’s medical team. The professionals at Santos FC are familiar with the player’s recovery capacity and are confident that Neymar will be ready to play in the World Cup.”

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 international goals, has not represented the national side since suffering an ACL injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023.

Despite his injury concerns, the forward was included in Brazil’s final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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Brazil forward Neymar is a doubt for the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after injuring his calf, requiring two to three weeks of treatment, the national team’s doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Santos star will miss Brazil’s two pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama and Egypt, but may also be out of their tournament opener against Morocco on June 13.

An MRI scan “identified a grade two muscle injury… our expectation is that he will be available in two to three weeks,” Lasmar said at Brazil’s pre-tournament training centre just outside Rio de Janeiro.

Neymar joined his international teammates at the training centre on Wednesday but sat out the first session.

He has missed Santos’s last few matches due to what his club coach Cuca had called “a slight injury”.

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His inclusion in Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for the World Cup was something of a surprise as Neymar had not been picked for the national team in almost three years.

A mixture of injuries and poor form had left him outside the national team set-up, with Ancelotti citing concerns over his fitness after leaving him out of Brazil’s squad for March friendlies against France and Croatia.

However, Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances for the Selecao. This will be his fourth World Cup.

His last appearance for Brazil was in 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

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RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s star forward Neymar Jr. received the loudest cheer of the evening after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed his inclusion in the squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 during a gala ceremony here on Monday.

The veteran forward completed a dramatic return to the national side after nearly three years away, with his selection emerging as the biggest talking point from Brazil’s 26-man squad announcement.

Ancelotti revealed Neymar’s name shortly after confirming the selection of Matheus Cunha, triggering a huge reaction inside the venue.

As soon as the Italian coach announced “Neymar Jr.,” the crowd erupted into loud applause and chants, forcing Ancelotti to briefly pause and allow the moment to sink in.

The roar from the audience turned into an anthem-like chant of Neymar’s name as the audience celebrated the return of Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The 34-year-old attacker, who has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, had not represented his country since suffering a knee injury during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in 2023.

A combination of injuries and inconsistent fitness had kept Neymar out of the national setup. Ancelotti had previously left him out of Brazil’s March friendlies against France and Croatia due to fitness concerns.

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The former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star is now set to feature in his fourth World Cup after previously representing Brazil in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions.

Brazil, who are chasing a record sixth World Cup crown, open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 before playing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Neymar joins a potent line-up of attackers that includes Barcelona striker Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

READ: Neymar back in Brazil squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Brazil superstar Neymar was handed a dramatic recall to the country’s squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, returning to the national team after a nearly three-year absence.

The inclusion of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was the biggest surprise in the 26-man squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti announced Neymar’s selection at a gala ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, with loud cheers ringing out as the veteran attacker’s call-up was confirmed.

Speculation has raged for months over whether the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker would force his way back into the national team set-up.

The forward, a veteran of the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, had not played for Brazil since suffering a knee injury during a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay in 2023.

A mixture of injuries and poor form had left him outside the national team set-up, with Ancelotti citing concerns over his fitness after leaving him out of Brazil’s squad for March friendlies against France and Croatia.

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However, Neymar, who rejoined boyhood club Santos in January after an injury-ravaged stint in Saudi Arabia, has now earned Ancelotti’s stamp of approval for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“We monitored Neymar throughout the year and observed that, in recent times, he has been playing consistently and his physical condition has improved,” Ancelotti said. “We believe he is an important player.”

Injuries have restricted Neymar to just 15 appearances in 31 matches since his return to Santos in 2026.

Brazil, who are chasing a record sixth World Cup crown, open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 before playing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Neymar joins a potent line-up of attackers that includes Barcelona striker Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, said he believed the World Cup would be won by the most “resilient” team.

“The World Cup won’t be won by a perfect team — because a perfect team doesn’t exist,” he said. “It will be won by the most resilient team.”

Brazil squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio)

Defenders: Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Danilo (Flamengo), Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Wesley (Roma)

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo).

Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Neymar (Santos), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

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Neymar was involved in a furious dispute with match officials after he was substituted by mistake as his Santos team lost 3-0 to visiting Cortiba on Sunday.

On the day before the announcement of the Brazilian squad for the World Cup, the oft-injured 34-year-old was receiving treatment in the 65th minute on the far side of the field from the team benches.

Neymar did not notice when the fourth official held up his number 10. By the time he was ready to return, play had restarted with Robinho Jr, the 18-year-old son of former Brazil star Robinho, on the pitch.

Neymar trotted back on and was told by the referee to leave.

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Furious, he demanded to see the handwritten substitution note that had been handed to the fourth official. It showed that Santos manager Cuca had wanted to take off number 31, Gonzalo Escobar, but apparently had not spotted the wrong number before the game resumed.

Santos were already three goals down. The defeat dropped them into the Brazilian Serie A relegation places.

It was a last chance for Neymar to impress Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has so far ignored Brazil’s all-time leading international scorer.

Neymar, who missed the start of the season after knee surgery, has played in only half of his club’s 16 league games this season, but he has scored four goals while collecting five yellow cards.

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi has voiced his support for former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar, insisting the Brazilian star still deserves a place in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 despite ongoing injury and fitness concerns.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has not represented the national side since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

Since returning to Santos FC last year, the 33-year-old has struggled to regain rhythm and consistency.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, has repeatedly kept the door open for Neymar’s return and recently stated that the forward still has time to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament.

Speaking on the Lo del Pollo show, Messi stressed that players of Neymar’s calibre should always be considered for football’s biggest stage.

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“We want the best players to be there and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said. “It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also named Brazil among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup, alongside reigning champions Argentina, as well as Spain and France.

“I still believe Brazil is always a contender and has the players necessary to compete for the title in any major tournament,” he added.

Messi, who famously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is expected to feature in what could be his final appearance at the global event.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11.

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Santos FC have opened an internal investigation following reports of a heated altercation between Neymar and Robinho Jr during a training session at the club’s facilities on Sunday.

According to club officials, the incident took place at the Rei Pelé Training Centre, prompting immediate disciplinary action as the situation escalated between the two players during practice.

International media reports suggest tensions rose after the 18-year-old Robinho Jr reportedly dribbled past Neymar during a drill, an action that is said to have triggered a strong reaction from the senior forward, who allegedly felt disrespected.

The exchange is claimed to have intensified quickly, with reports stating that Neymar tripped the youngster, leading to a confrontation between the pair before teammates intervened to separate them and restore order.

In an official statement, Santos confirmed they had initiated formal proceedings to examine the matter.

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“Santos Futebol Clube has become aware of an alleged physical assault committed by a player affiliated with Santos Futebol Clube against another player at the club,” and confirmed that disciplinary procedures had been initiated,” the club stated.

“Santos FC announces that, following a decision by the club’s board, an internal investigation was launched immediately after the incident to examine the episode involving the players Neymar Jr. and Robson de Souza Jr. [Robinho] during training on Sunday at the Rei Pelé Training Centre.”

Brazilian outlet GloboEsporte reported that Robinho Jr has raised several allegations, including claims of offensive language, being tripped, and even receiving what he described as a “violent slap to the face.”

The report also claims the young forward has requested a meeting with the club to discuss a possible termination of his contract, citing concerns over a “lack of minimum safety standards” within the training environment.

Representatives of Neymar have so far declined to comment on the incident. However, sources close to the player suggest he attempted to defuse the situation afterwards by reaching out to Robinho Jr and offering apologies to his family.

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