Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has firmly dismissed any intention of replacing injured forward Neymar in his 26-man World Cup squad. Despite a grade-two calf strain that has ruled the star player out of upcoming warm-up friendlies, Ancelotti remains confident about his recovery timelines.
The update came on Saturday during a press conference ahead of Brazil's warm-up match against Panama. Neymar, who has not played for the national team since tearing his ACL in October 2023, was recalled to the squad last week despite his recent injury layout at Santos.
Initially, Santos medical staff diagnosed the 34-year-old forward with minor calf swelling. However, subsequent evaluations by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) revealed a more serious grade-two muscle strain, sidelining the player for another two to three weeks. The injury officially rules him out of pre-tournament friendlies against Panama and Egypt.
When reporters asked Ancelotti if he would have omitted Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer had he known the true extent of the strain, the Italian tactician brushed it off with a classic quip.
"If my grandad had wheels, he'd be a car," Ancelotti joked. "Since I decided on the squad, Neymar was in the 26. We are managing his recovery. We believe he can be ready for the first World Cup match. If he's not ready for the first, he will be ready for the second."
The CBF medical team took over management of Neymar's rehabilitation program on May 27. Ancelotti confirmed that the forward is in high spirits and working hard to regain peak match fitness.
Brazil is chasing a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the tournament in North America, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. The Seleção are placed in Group C and will kick off their campaign against Morocco on June 13, followed by group stage matches against Haiti on June 18 and Scotland on June 23.
