Brazil’s all-time leading scorer underwent fresh medical examinations and is unlikely to feature against Haiti in Group C….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Brazil star Neymar remains a major doubt for his country’s second FIFA World Cup Group C match against Haiti after undergoing fresh medical examinations to assess his recovery from a calf injury, according to reports in Brazilian media.
The 34-year-old forward underwent new imaging tests on Monday as Brazil’s medical staff continued to monitor his progress following a grade two strain in his right calf. While the results reportedly showed satisfactory improvement, they were not enough for Neymar to advance to the next phase of his rehabilitation programme.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Globo, the veteran attacker remains under close supervision from the team’s medical department and is continuing with supplementary strength and weight-training exercises.
However, Neymar has yet to reach the stage where he can resume on-field conditioning or participate in ball work with the rest of the squad, making his involvement against Haiti on Friday increasingly unlikely.
The injury forced Neymar to miss Brazil’s World Cup opener against Morocco, with the five-time champions opting not to rush their star player back into action.
Last week, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) provided an update after Neymar underwent an MRI scan to assess the injury. The federation said his recovery was progressing “within the expected parameters” and confirmed that he would continue following an individualised treatment plan.
Neymar’s fitness has become one of the major talking points surrounding Brazil’s World Cup campaign, with the forward battling a series of injuries over the past three years.
Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, Neymar has not played for the national team since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualifying match in October 2023.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has endured a difficult road back since then, suffering multiple setbacks that have delayed his return to full fitness. The latest calf strain has once again raised concerns about his availability at a tournament where he had hoped to play a leading role.
The 2026 edition could mark Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance after previously representing Brazil in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Despite his absence, Brazil remain optimistic that the experienced forward could feature later in the tournament if his recovery continues on schedule.
Brazil’s remaining Group C fixtures see them face Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday before taking on Scotland in Miami on June 24.
Team officials are expected to continue monitoring Neymar’s condition over the coming days before making a final decision on his availability.
With qualification for the knockout stages at stake, Brazil will be keen to have their talismanic forward available as soon as possible, though medical staff are understood to be prioritising a full recovery over an early return.
For now, Neymar’s wait for a long-awaited comeback in Brazil colours appears set to continue, with the forward still facing several rehabilitation milestones before he can rejoin full training and return to competitive action.
