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Neymar last played for Brazil in 2023 -Credit
aniela Porcelli/Getty ImagesBrazil’s all-time leading goal scorer, Neymar, is set to miss their second FIFA World Cup group game against Haiti as he continues to recover from a right calf injury.
In a statement released by the CBF, via ESPN, they said, “He will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process, making use of the excellent facilities at The Ridge hotel and the Columbia Park training center.”
Plagued by injuries for the past few years, former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar, 34, has not played since Santos’ 3-0 loss to Coritiba FC back on May 17.
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Neymar was welcomed back to training on Wednesday -Credit:MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP via Getty Images
Despite this, and his general struggle to remain consistently healthy of late, Carlo Ancelotti still decided to pick the veteran for his final World Cup roster - even though he hasn’t played for the national team since 2023.
“Neymar is working very hard to recover as soon as possible,” Ancelotti said prior to their 1-1 World Cup opener against Morocco. “Our expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week.
“When we included him in the roster, we added him for his technical abilities, which are indisputable. But we also want him for his experience and the example he sets for the young players on the team.”
There was some positive news regarding Neymar on Wednesday, after he was spotted training with his teammates for the first time this tournament for a brief period before returning to work individually on the sidelines. This came after he trained solo on Tuesday along the sidelines - also a first for the veteran this tournament.
Without Neymar to help lead the line, Brazil enters their second group game against an aggressive Haitian side, which made life extremely difficult for Scotland at times in their respective tournament opening game.
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While Haiti ultimately lost 1-0, they showed more than enough to likely have Ancelotti’s side worried, especially after their own lackluster start to the competition.
A win for Brazil may well be enough to secure a spot in the Round of 32; however, a draw or loss would make their situation far more tenuous after dropping points against a tough Moroccan side.
Following their game against Haiti at 8:30pm ET on Friday, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, all eyes will then turn to Scotland for their group finale on June 24 at 6pm ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Whether or not Neymar might be available for the Scotland game remains unclear, however, given his ongoing recovery, they may look to hold off on playing him until the knockout rounds begin.
In the meantime, it will be down to the likes of Vinicius Jr., Igor Thiago, Matheus Cunha, and Raphinha to find the back of the net for Ancelotti’s side.
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