Neymar Trains Alone as Brazil Monitor Calf Injury
Steps Up Recovery Ahead of Knockout Stage
Brazil forward Neymar has taken a significant step in his recovery from a right calf injury, training alone on the sidelines at the team’s World Cup base in New Jersey on Tuesday.
The Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that Neymar ‘took another step in his recovery process,’ performing his first running drills under the supervision of a member of Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff.
The 34-year-old was called up despite sustaining a Grade II muscle injury while playing for Santos on May 17. He has not featured in full training since arriving in the United States and was on the bench, but not in kit, during Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Morocco in their Group C opener.
Brazilian media reports suggest Neymar will miss the upcoming matches against Haiti on Friday and Scotland on June 24, with hopes pinned on his return for the knockout stages.
Neymar has endured a long spell away from the national team, last appearing on October 17, 2023, when he tore his ACL and meniscus against Uruguay. Since then, he has spent nearly 700 days sidelined due to injuries and recovery periods.
