Uncertainty clouded the prospects of soccer superstar Neymar making his World Cup debut on Monday, as the Brazilian forward underwent a new round of medical assessments for a lingering right leg injury that has kept him sidelined for months.
Initial optimism had circulated within the Brazil camp that the 34-year-old would rejoin full team training on Monday. Instead, the veteran attacker skipped group sessions and traveled to a specialized sports clinic to complete updated scans on his injured right calf. The Brazilian Football Confederation has not yet released any official statement on the outcomes of these tests, leaving fans and analysts guessing about his availability for the tournament.
Neymar, who is competing in his fourth World Cup, has not played competitive soccer since picking up the injury during a club match with Santos on May 17. Since Brazil’s five-time World Cup champions set up their pre-tournament training base in Morristown, New Jersey, the star playmaker has not taken part in a single full team training session. His first potential chance to take the pitch comes this Friday, when Brazil faces off against Haiti in Philadelphia.
The question of Neymar’s return has grown far more pressing for Brazil following a underwhelming 1-1 draw against Morocco in the team’s tournament opening match on Saturday. Though Neymar could not take the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, he still drew crowds and attention on the sidelines, greeting high-profile spectators including rapper Travis Scott and seven-time NFL Super Bowl champion Tom Brady before kickoff.
Brazil’s toothless attacking performance against Morocco immediately reignited calls from fans and pundits alike for Neymar’s experienced playmaking presence in the starting lineup. However, the star’s inclusion in the World Cup squad has already sparked fierce public debate across Brazil, ever since new head coach Carlo Ancelotti named him to the roster. Supporters argue that the veteran, who made his World Cup debut on home soil back in 2014, still offers unmatched creativity and leadership that can lift Brazil to a sixth title. Critics, by contrast, claim Neymar is past his athletic peak and that his spot in the squad should have gone to a younger, fit player who could contribute earlier in the tournament.
Brazil’s medical team is reportedly targeting a full recovery for Neymar in time for the tournament’s knockout stage, according to local Brazilian media reports. For now, the nation waits for official test results to clarify when their biggest star will finally step onto the World Cup pitch.