Neymar remains confident that his recent calf injury will not affect his chances of playing a major role for Brazil national football team at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
The experienced forward is set to join the Brazilian national team camp despite missing Santos’ last three matches because of a bruised right calf. Neymar picked up the injury during Santos’ 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on May 17, which raised concerns over his fitness ahead of the tournament.
However, the 34-year-old appeared relaxed when asked about the issue while watching Santos secure a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca in the Copa Sudamericana at Vila Belmiro. Pointing towards his leg, Neymar joked that his calf was still “in one piece.” When questioned about whether the injury could impact his World Cup campaign, he brushed aside the concerns by replying, “What problem?”
Even though Neymar remains upbeat, Brazil’s medical staff are being careful with his recovery. According to reports, the swelling in his right calf is more serious than initially expected, and the rehabilitation process could take longer than Santos first suggested.
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Neymar to miss Brazil’s warm-up matches
Because of that, Neymar is unlikely to feature in Brazil’s warm-up matches against Panama on May 31 and Egypt on June 5. The team management does not want to rush his comeback before the World Cup begins.
Brazil's FIFA World Cup schedule
Brazil will kick off their World Cup journey against Morocco on June 13 as they chase a record-extending sixth world title. Neymar, who is already Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has not represented the national side since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023.
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The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance. Despite an illustrious international career, the Brazilian superstar is still chasing his first World Cup trophy. Brazil finished fourth on home soil in 2014 before being knocked out in the quarterfinals in both 2018 and 2022.
Interestingly, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously left Neymar out of recent squads, insisting that only fully fit players would be selected.