Suffering from a calf injury, the Brazilian star is causing serious concern for the national team ahead of the start of the tournament.

Concern is growing around Neymar. While Brazil is actively preparing for the 2026 World Cup, the Seleção star could miss the tournament due to a more serious calf injury than initially thought.

Just a few days ago, Santos FC's medical staff were reassuring. The Brazilian club mentioned a simple calf edema and assured everyone that the player would quickly recover and rejoin the national team. This optimistic message had given Brazilian fans renewed hope, eager to see their number 10 back in the yellow and green jersey after a long absence since 2023.

But the situation appears to have taken a worrying turn. According to several Brazilian media outlets, the former Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona player did not participate in Brazil's first group training sessions. The national team doctors have reportedly decided to have him undergo an MRI scan at a private clinic to precisely assess the severity of his injury.

According to the local press, notably Lance, the test results are causing serious concern for the Brazilian Football Confederation. Images released outside the clinic show a visibly dejected Neymar, limping slightly, fueling doubts about his participation in the World Cup.

The possibility of him withdrawing from the match is now being considered internally. The media outlet Globo even claims that tension has arisen between Santos and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), with the club accusing the club of downplaying the player's physical condition.

One thing already seems certain: Neymar will miss the friendly matches against Panama and Egypt. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit to play in Brazil's opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Morocco, scheduled for June 14th.