Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Brazil, stated on Saturday that he does not intend to replace Neymar in his World Cup lineup. He also dismissed questions about whether he would have chosen the forward had he been aware of the full extent of Neymar’s calf injury.
Neymar has been sidelined due to a right calf issue since May 17 and hasn’t played for Brazil since his ACL injury in October 2023. Nonetheless, Ancelotti included him in Brazil’s squad last week.
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Santos diagnosed Neymar with edema causing calf swelling but expressed optimism about his fitness this week. However, after further evaluations upon joining the Brazil team, it was found that he has a grade 2 muscle strain and will be out for an additional two to three weeks.
When asked on Saturday if he would have called up Neymar had he known it was a grade-two strain instead of just swelling, Ancelotti responded lightheartedly, saying, “If my grandad had wheels, he’d be a car. Since I decided on the squad, Neymar was in the 26.”
Ancelotti confirmed that the Brazilian Football Confederation managed Neymar’s medical condition after he had been included in the 26-man squad.
The coach expressed his belief that Neymar will still play a role in Brazil’s World Cup strategy and mentioned that the forward might be ready later in the group stage, even if he misses the opening match against Morocco on June 13. “We thought he might be fit for the first World Cup match,” he said. “If he’s not ready for the first match, he’ll be prepared for the second. We have no doubts about it.”
“I’m not making any changes. The 26 chosen players are the ones who will participate in the World Cup.”
Ancelotti also mentioned that he has discussed Neymar’s role within the team, noting that the player is putting in the effort to return to full fitness.
Following their opener against Morocco, Brazil will take on Haiti on June 18 and Scotland on June 23.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.