Neymar 'unlikely' to feature in Brazil's World Cup warm up games due to injury

Neymar 'unlikely' to feature in Brazil's World Cup warm up games due to injury

Neymar is reportedly 'unlikely' to feature in Brazil's warm up games ahead of this summer's World Cup.

Neymar, 34, was handing a spot in Carlo Ancelott’s Brazil squad this summer in place of in-form Chelsea striker Joao Pedro.

The veteran forward hasn’t played for his country since their 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in October 2023, in which he tore his ACL.

He is currently out with a calf injury that looks set to see him miss Brazi’s World Cup warm up games, according to ESPN.

The report adds that there is a "war of versions" regarding the severity of the injury with Santos insisting it’s just a "mild edema."

Brazil have a different understanding, however, and believe it will and will likely require a more extensive recovery period than the few weeks his club suggested.

It remains to be seen whether the injury will see him have to withdraw from the squad, but he is unlikely to feature against Panama on May 31st.