Rio de Janeiro, May 21: Brazil has received a significant blow just before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Star player Neymar has sustained another injury. Recently, he was selected for Brazil’s World Cup team.
According to a report by ‘Xinhua’, the 34-year-old Santos star was unable to play in his team’s home Copa Sudamericana match against San Lorenzo due to a calf injury. However, the Brazilian club has stated that Neymar’s injury is not serious. Santos team doctor Rodrigo Jogab mentioned that the forward is expected to be ready for Brazil’s first pre-World Cup training session on May 27.
‘O Globo’ quoted Jogab saying, “Neymar will report to the national team fit or almost fully fit. There is also a possibility that he could play next Tuesday against Deportivo Cuenca.” Neymar, who has scored the most goals for Brazil with 79 in 128 international matches, last played for the national team in October 2023. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. Since returning to his childhood club Santos last January, Neymar has struggled with injuries, scoring only 17 goals in 38 matches.
This will be Neymar’s fourth FIFA World Cup. He previously played in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions. He is set to join the ranks of Brazilian players like Castilho, Zé Carlos, Nilton Santos, Pelé, Emerson Leão, Cafu, Ronaldo, and Thiago Silva, who have participated in the tournament multiple times.
Neymar also has the chance to join Pelé as the second player to wear Brazil’s number 10 shirt in four different World Cups. In World Cup matches, Neymar has played 13 games, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. Brazil will kick off their campaign against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey, followed by matches against Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
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