Santos has refuted claims of a lack of transparency concerning Neymar’s medical status, expressing confidence that the player will be fit to compete in the World Cup.
Neymar, 34, joined Brazil‘s training camp on Wednesday, where he underwent tests that confirmed a grade 2 muscle strain in his right calf, sidelining him for at least two weeks.
Initially injured during Santos’ loss to Coritiba on May 17, just a day before Carlo Ancelotti’s announcement of Brazil’s World Cup squad, Neymar’s participation in the opening match against Morocco on June 13 is now in doubt.
Santos had previously identified an edema causing swelling in Neymar’s calf but remained hopeful he would be cleared to train this week.
Santos released a statement on Thursday asserting that they had provided all medical assessments for Neymar to the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) by May 18, explaining, “The two-week timeline started on the 17th and concludes this Sunday [31st], by which point he is expected to resume training.”
“It’s important to note that recovery times can differ among individuals and depend on the team’s requirements and the significance of upcoming matches. The Brazilian national team’s physiotherapy staff includes professionals from Santos FC who have worked with Neymar Jr. for over a decade throughout his recovery process.”
“The club’s medical team is fully aligned with the CBF’s treatment plan, and they are confident in Neymar’s recovery abilities, believing he will be ready for the World Cup.”
Neymar will miss the pre-World Cup friendlies against Panama in Brasília on Sunday and against Egypt in Cleveland on June 5.
The Santos captain faces a race against time to be fit for Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on June 13.
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Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering an ACL injury in October 2023 during international duty. He has been named to the final 26-man roster for the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking his fourth World Cup appearance.
According to FIFA rules, a player can be replaced in the World Cup squad up to one day before their first game.