Brazilian football authorities have given Neymar Jr a strict ultimatum regarding his recovery ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The Santos forward must prove his fitness by a set medical deadline or risk being left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s final squad for the tournament.
Neymar’s participation in the upcoming warm-up matches for the Selecao is now in serious doubt. The 34-year-old is currently nursing a grade two calf strain, which has caused mounting concern within the national team setup.
According to reports from Globo, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) went to extraordinary lengths to protect the player’s privacy during medical assessments. A local diagnostic center was temporarily closed to the public to allow Neymar to undergo an MRI scan without any distractions.
Although Santos had initially given Neymar clearance to play, the national team’s medical staff conducted further evaluations. Those tests confirmed the presence of a grade two muscle edema, ruling him out of action for the time being.
Dr Rodrigo Lasmar, the team physician, provided an update on Thursday. He stated: ‘Neymar arrived at Granja Comary yesterday and completed all medical exams, finishing with an MRI that revealed a grade 2 muscle injury. He is continuing treatment, and we anticipate he will be cleared to play within two to three weeks.’
The clock is now ticking for Neymar to regain full fitness if he hopes to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti is expected to name his squad soon, and the superstar’s injury may force a difficult decision.