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DON'T MISS ANY ACTION FROM THE WORLD CUP

Brazil could be forced to play the entire World Cup group stage without Neymar, as the national team’s medical staff prioritise his long-term recovery over immediate participation. The Selecao’s star forward is still working his way back from a significant muscle injury, with coaches now setting their sights on having him fit for the knockout rounds.

Caution remains the guiding principle for Brazil

Both Brazil’s medical experts and coaching team have come to a shared understanding regarding Neymar’s involvement during the group stage: taking a cautious approach is non-negotiable.

Although there has been increasing pressure for the superstar to return to the starting XI, there are no current signs that he will be risked in the upcoming fixture against Haiti in Philadelphia.

According to ESPN, Brazil are determined to prevent any setback that could prematurely end Neymar’s participation in the tournament. The forward has not yet trained under Carlo Ancelotti since joining the camp at Granja Comary on May 27, and the internal directive remains clear – he should not resume high-intensity training until his full recovery is confirmed.

Recovery progress from calf injury

Neymar is currently rehabilitating from a grade-two calf injury sustained while representing Santos on May 17. Although his recent gym sessions suggest encouraging progress, he is still some distance away from full match fitness and has yet to rejoin his teammates on the training pitch.

The plan is for the 32-year-old to begin light individual training on the field later this week. However, he will only be allowed to participate in full team sessions once the medical department is entirely confident that he is free of pain and discomfort.

Given that Neymar has not featured in a competitive match for over a month, his lack of match rhythm is also a key consideration influencing the staff’s careful approach.

Focus shifts to the knockout rounds

Within the Brazilian camp, attention has now turned to ensuring Neymar reaches peak fitness in time for the knockout phase of the World Cup. This plan effectively rules him out of the group game against Haiti and makes his inclusion in the final group fixture against Scotland in Miami on June 24 highly doubtful.

This conservative recovery plan will only continue if Brazil’s performances in the group stage allow them the flexibility to manage without their talisman.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti remains eager to have Neymar back but refuses to endanger his long-term health. The Italian manager recently clarified why he retained the injured player in the squad, explaining: “Neymar is putting in a lot of effort to recover as soon as possible. When we selected him, it wasn’t only for his unquestionable technical skills but also for his leadership and the example he provides to the younger members of the team.”

Final medical checks await

The medical team is expected to conduct additional imaging tests in the coming days to determine whether Neymar’s muscle has fully healed. The outcome of these assessments will decide whether he can progress to on-field training or continue his rehabilitation indoors.

Ultimately, Brazil are balancing the need for short-term caution with the desire for long-term success. Regardless of whether Neymar features in the group stage, the Selecao must ensure qualification for the round of 32, where they hope their all-time leading scorer will be ready to spearhead their pursuit of a record sixth world title.

Can Brazil go all the way at the World Cup?