Brazil’s World Cup campaign is barely a game old, and already the Neymar watch is in full swing. Again.
The 34-year-old forward, who arrived at the tournament carrying a calf injury, has been officially ruled out of Brazil’s second group-stage match against Haiti, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano. Neymar only returned to full team training 24 hours ago, and the coaching staff under Carlo Ancelotti isn’t willing to rush him back.
That decision makes sense, but it also raises the stakes. Brazil opened their World Cup with a flat 1-1 draw against Morocco — hardly the statement a team with five titles wants to make. Vinicius Jr. bailed them out with an equalizer in the 32nd minute after Ismael Saibari put Morocco ahead in the 21st, but the performance was sluggish for long stretches. If they’re going to rely on Neymar to spark something later, they need him healthy first.
How Bad Is the Injury?
Neymar picked up a grade-two calf strain on May 17 while playing for his boyhood club Santos. He briefly joined team drills Wednesday and even cracked jokes with teammates — asking if they missed him, per ESPN — before breaking off for individual work. It was his first time training on grass with the group since the injury happened back in Brazil.
Brazilian media has reported that the team is targeting the knockout rounds for his return. That timeline is optimistic for a grade-two strain, but it’s not unheard of. The bigger question is whether Brazil can get out of the group without him.
Ancelotti’s Gamble on Experience
Ancelotti made the call to bring Neymar over younger names like Estevao and Joao Pedro. That last one stings a little if you watched Chelsea last season: Pedro scored 15 goals and added 5 assists in 35 Premier League appearances. He’s in form. He’s physical. He’s 24.
But Ancelotti went with the guy who’s done it before. Neymar has 79 international goals. He’s carried Brazil through World Cups. He’s the kind of player who can win a knockout game by himself, even at 34, even on one good leg.
That’s the bet. It just hasn’t paid off yet.
Fans online have been quick to point out that Brazil looked directionless against Morocco. The midfield had no rhythm. The defense got caught sleeping. And without Neymar on the field, there’s no one who can consistently create something from nothing.
Haiti is next. Then a tougher test in the group finale against a team that could force Brazil into a knockout matchup before Neymar is ready. Ancelotti might have to solve this without his star for a little while longer.
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