The coach of Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, confirmed this Saturday that Neymar will be part of the team in the 2026 World Cup, despite his muscle injury in his right calf. The coach assured that the player is "encouraged" and "working very well" to return as soon as possible.
"To be clear, Neymar will be with us. We think he can recover for the first match against Morocco, and if not, for the second against Haiti," Ancelotti stated at a press conference in Teresópolis, on the eve of the friendly against Panama at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. "We have no doubt that these 26 players will play the World Cup," he added.
Physical condition and medical follow-up
The first days of the team's concentration have focused on Neymar's recovery, who was included in the World Cup squad at the last minute. The forward arrived at the training camp injured, and although Santos initially reduced the injury to "an edema," the medical services of Canarinha diagnosed a grade II muscle injury in the right calf, with an estimated recovery time of two to three weeks.
Ancelotti explained that they received information from Santos about the edema and let the club manage the situation until May 27, when the concentration began, at which point the team took over the monitoring of the injury.
Call-up justified
The coach defended Neymar's call-up: "The player was called up because he had to be called up. We think he will recover as soon as possible. He is working well and is encouraged."
"He had bad luck with that small problem, but Neymar is working very well individually to recover soon," he added.
Preparation for the World Cup
Ancelotti also pointed out that he has spoken directly with Neymar about his recovery and role in the tournament, which will be held in June in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
"Neymar understood very well the role he has to play in this World Cup. Every day he works to recover as soon as possible," said the coach. "He is in a good environment, but the important thing for him is to understand his role well, and I think he has understood it very well."