Neymar’s World Cup Hangs in Balance After Calf Exam — Brazil’s Attack Feels the Pinch

The video of Neymar on the MetLife Stadium sideline just before kickoff was supposed to be a feel-good moment. He saluted Travis Scott and Tom Brady, soaked in the energy of a World Cup opener, and looked every bit the star. But the image also carried a quiet tension: Brazil’s No. 10 was watching, not playing — and his team desperately needed him.

That was Saturday, when the Selecao limped to a 1-1 draw against Morocco. Now, new concerns have emerged about Neymar’s availability going forward.

On Monday, the 34-year-old skipped training and instead visited a clinic for further tests on his right calf. The Brazilian Football Confederation has not yet released the results, leaving his status for the rest of the group stage in doubt. According to Brazilian media reports, the medical staff is targeting the knockout rounds for his full return — but that’s a long way from certainty.

Neymar has been sidelined since May 17, when he injured his right leg playing for Santos. He hasn’t participated in a full training session since Brazil began its World Cup preparations in Morristown, New Jersey, ahead of Friday’s match against Haiti in Philadelphia.

His absence is now the defining story of Brazil’s campaign. New coach Carlo Ancelotti had already sparked debate by including the veteran, whose first World Cup was on home soil in 2014. Some argue his experience and composure are exactly what a young, attack-heavy squad needs. Others believe he’s past his prime and that a roster spot could have gone to an emerging talent.

That debate crystallized against Morocco. Brazil controlled possession but lacked creativity in the final third. The attack felt disjointed, and pundits across the country pointed to the obvious hole: no one on the pitch could unlock a defense the way Neymar does.

Three other players — defenders Gabriel Magalhães, midfielder Bruno Guimarães, and winger Raphinha — trained separately on Monday to improve their fitness, further complicating Ancelotti’s preparations.

Amid the uncertainty, there was also personal news. Neymar and his partner Bruna Biancardi announced on social media Monday that they are expecting their third daughter. He already has a teenage son from a previous relationship.

But the headline remains the calf. If Neymar can’t return to full training soon, Brazil may have to navigate the knockout rounds without its most decorated forward — and hope the attack it has is enough.