SOCCER: Neymar injury doubt casts shadow over Brazil recall hopes

Neymar will miss Santos’ Brazilian Championship match against Mirassol on Tuesday due to lingering muscle fatigue, dealing another blow to his hopes of returning to Brazil’s squad ahead of the World Cup.

Santos described the forward’s absence as precautionary, though the timing is awkward. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had planned to travel from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo to watch the 34-year-old in action.

Sources close to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the national team’s technical committee told Reuters that Neymar’s omission from Tuesday’s match was met with surprise and frustration. Ancelotti had hoped to assess the star player up close.

The Brazil coach has stressed he will only select players who are fully fit and able to meet the team’s physical demands. Missing this match could jeopardize Neymar’s chances of being included in the squad for friendlies against France and Croatia on March 26 and 31, with selections announced on March 16.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to serious knee ligament injuries. Since returning to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi Arabia in January 2025, he has shown glimpses of his old form but has struggled to maintain a consistent run of matches.

Brazil’s attacking lineup remains strong, featuring in-form players such as Vinicius Jr., Estevao, Raphinha, Joao Pedro, Gabriel Martinelli, Endrick, Igor Jesus, and Matheus Cunha.

Ancelotti will continue with his scheduled visit, although the main purpose was to watch Neymar. The forward is expected to be available for Sunday’s match against Corinthians at Vila Belmiro. However, Ancelotti will attend the Botafogo vs. Flamengo game in Rio de Janeiro, leaving his assistant coaches to monitor the Corinthians match.

Time is running short for Neymar, with Brazil set to finalize their World Cup squad in May ahead of the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. from June 11 to July 19.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters