Brazil have already had a major injury concern. FIFA World Cupwith the Neymar Now doubtful for the opening leg 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 a medical examination 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 scan indicated “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 warm-up matches against Panama and Egypt. His availability for Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 is also uncertain.Although Neymar joined Brazil’s squad at the training base on Wednesday, he did not participate in the team’s initial training session.The Santos forward has already been absent from his club’s recent matches, with coach Koka previously describing the issue as a “slight injury”.Neymar’s selection in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad had already sparked controversy due to his prolonged absence from the national team. The Brazilian superstar had not featured for his country in nearly three years after a difficult spell plagued by injury 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 about his fitness, Neymar’s importance to Brazil is undeniable. He is still the country’s top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances for the Selecao.The upcoming tournament will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup. His most recent match for Brazil came back in 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
