Neymar to miss Brazil's first friendly as he continues recovery for World Cup

Brazil smiles during an International Friendly Match between Brazil and Panama

Neymar will not travel ⁠to Cleveland for Brazil's World Cup warm-up match ‌against Egypt on Saturday ‌as he continues to ‌receive intensive treatment for ‌a calf injury, the Brazilian ‌Football Confederation (CBF) said on Thursday.

"Neymar will not ‌travel with the delegation ⁠to ‌Cleveland," the CBF said in ​a statement. "He will remain in New Jersey, ​undergoing physical therapy and intensifying his physical recovery ⁠program."

Brazil's ​all-time leading scorer is sidelined by a Grade 2 calf strain, a ‌moderate muscle injury involving a partial tear.

The Brazilian coaching staff remain hopeful that the 34-year-old will be available for their 2026 World Cup opener against Morocco on June ‌13th.

The five-time World Cup ​winners will also face ‌Haiti and Scotland in Group C.