"What problem?": Neymar downplays his calf injury ahead of FIFA World Cup
Brasilia, May 27
Brazil star Neymar does not expect his calf injury to hinder his FIFA World Cup campaign.
The veteran striker will report for the national team duty after having been benched for his club Santos' last three matches due to a bruised right calf.
On being asked about his calf as he watched Santos defeat Deportivo Cuenca 3-0 in Tuesday's Copa Sudamericana match at Vila Belmiro, Neymar said as quoted by ESPN: "It is right here, in one piece."
The 34-year-old sustained the calf injury in Santos colours during their 3-0 loss to Coritiba on May 17. But when he was asked if the injury would affect his World Cup campaign, he simply said, "What problem?"
Despite Neymar's optimism about featuring prominently in the World Cup, Brazil's medical staff is taking precautions and has drawn a proper plan for him, as per his condition.
Sources have also told ESPN that Neymar's right calf swelling will need proper recovery time and is not minor. The time off needed could be longer than what was initially stated by Santos. It is hence unlikely that Santos
Sources told ESPN that the swelling in Neymar's right calf is not minor and that the required recovery time may be longer than initially stated by Santos. Hence, it's unlikely that Neymar will be fit to play in the warm-up games against Panama and Egypt, to be held on May 31 and June 5, respectively.
Brazil's quest for a record sixth title will start against Morocco on June 13. Neymar, the team's leading goal-scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national side since sustaining an ACL tear in October 2023.
Neymar was included in the 26-member squad for the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. This will be his fourth World Cup appearance, and he will be eyeing his first-ever FIFA World Cup trophy. In 2014, Brazil finished fourth, while it faced quarterfinal exits in the next two tournaments.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had omitted Neymar from his previous call-ups, repeatedly stressing that only players with 100 per cent physical capacity would be considered.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm actually worried. Neymar hasn't played for Brazil since October 2023 because of that ACL tear. He's 34 now, coming off a major injury, and his calf is already playing up. Ancelotti is right—needs to be 100% fit. But knowing Neymar, he'll downplay anything. Hope he proves me wrong 🙏
Brazil's medical team should really step up. Swelling in the calf that requires "proper recovery time" is not something to brush off with a "What problem?" attitude. I get that Neymar wants to play his fourth World Cup, but risking a permanent injury isn't worth it. Ancelotti has always prioritized fitness. Smart move.
Classic Neymar—always acting like everything's fine even when it's clearly not. I remember Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) playing through injury in 1998 and Brazil lost the final. History could repeat itself. Please don't be reckless this time, Ney! 🫣 #FIFAWorldCup
Honestly, I want to see Neymar lift the World Cup at least once. He deserves it for all his hard work for Brazil. But this injury situation is giving me deja vu from 2014 when he got injured against Colombia and Brazil collapsed. Let's hope the medical team gets this right, and we see him fully fit for the campaign! 🙌
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