Neymar sidelined by calf injury and likely to miss Brazil's World Cup opener

BRASILIA: Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil's upcoming friendly matches and is expected to miss the team's opening game of the World Cup after medical tests found a grade-two calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday.

CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said the 34-year-old attacker is likely to remain out for another two to three weeks. Neymar had reported to the national team camp at Granja Comary on Tuesday, but did not take part in Wednesday's first training session after complaining of swelling in his right calf. He was then sent to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging tests.

Speaking ahead of a players' press conference, Lasmar said the scan showed a more serious issue than initially thought. "Neymar reported for duty yesterday here at Granja Comary, underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade-two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks."

Lasmar did not say whether Neymar could be removed from the squad. He added that the MRI did not confirm swelling, but instead identified a Grade 2 calf strain, described as a moderate injury involving a partial tear of muscle fibres that requires rest and rehabilitation.

Diagnosis differs from club assessment

The national team's findings differ from the assessment given by Santos before Brazil's squad announcement. Santos doctor Rodrigo Zogaib had said Neymar's issue was only swelling and that the forward would arrive fit to begin training on Tuesday.

Instead, Brazil's record scorer is set to miss Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana and the following match against Egypt in Cleveland. He is also considered highly unlikely to be available for Brazil's World Cup opener against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.

Brazil have been drawn in Group C along with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.

Selection had sparked excitement

Neymar's return to the squad last week had drawn significant attention because he had not featured in Carlo Ancelotti's plans during the Italian coach's year in charge. The forward has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil, but has struggled with repeated injuries and an underwhelming spell since returning to Santos.

In an interview with Reuters earlier in May, Ancelotti had said Neymar would not receive special treatment and that any place in the squad would depend on fitness and form rather than sentiment.

Brazil are already without defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, as well as forward Gabriel Martinelli, for Sunday's match because they were involved in last weekend's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.