Ancelotti announces possible return of Neymar to group training next week

Carlo Ancelotti announced Friday at a press conference in New Jersey that Neymar could train with the Brazilian squad as early as next week, subject to a favorable MRI scan. The Santos forward, ruled out of World Cup preparation matches due to a right calf injury sustained in late May, remains in contention for Brazil’s opening match in the tournament, scheduled for June 14 against Morocco.

“Neymar is doing excellent individual work, he will have an MRI and, if all goes well, he will train with the group next week,” said the Brazil manager.

Neymar’s return to the national team had itself come as a surprise when Ancelotti called him up, under combined pressure from public opinion and the Brazilian Football Confederation. The former Paris Saint-Germain player had not worn the yellow shirt since October 17, 2023, during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay — an evening when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee.

This new calf injury is part of a long medical saga. Neymar has accumulated physical setbacks throughout his career: fractured vertebrae at the 2014 World Cup, torn ankle ligament in February 2018, not to mention multiple hamstring and adductor concerns. While bad luck has sometimes played a role, his lifestyle has regularly been cited as an aggravating factor.

At 33 years old, the native of Mogi das Cruzes is attempting another comeback on the international stage, in a context where Brazil is counting on him to make an impact in the tournament. The MRI result will be decisive in determining whether Ancelotti’s gamble can still pay off.