Neymar's World Cup Future Uncertain After Emotional MRI for Calf Injury
Neymar is back in the Brazil conversation for the first time in nearly three years, but his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already under a cloud.
Carlo Ancelotti included the 34-year-old Santos forward in Brazil's 26-man provisional roster, a decision that immediately became the headline. Neymar hasn't worn the yellow shirt since tearing his ACL against Uruguay in October 2023, and Brazil haven't won a World Cup since 2002.
Ancelotti is clearly betting on his country's all-time leading scorer, 79 goals in 128 appearances, to help end that drought in North America. But 13 days out from the tournament, things got concerning fast.
Neymar missed Brazil's opening training session at Granja Comary on Wednesday, still dealing with a right calf injury. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed he traveled separately to a private clinic in Teresopolis for imaging exams instead of joining his teammates on the training pitch.
However, according to the latest update from Fabrizio Romano, Neymar has suffered another injury setback ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Neymar Jr suffers a new injury and will be out for 2/3 weeks, tests have confirmed," he wrote. "Ney will miss the friendly games before the World Cup and could miss the opening game against Morocco."
Reports from Goals Side later also added a worrying detail, saying Neymar was seen leaving the clinic visibly emotional after an MRI scan.
There's also a trust issue developing behind the scenes. Members of Ancelotti's staff reportedly believe Santos FC may have downplayed the injury when it was first described as minor fluid buildup in the calf. That gap between what was reported and what the scans may be showing has only added to the anxiety around his status.
| BREAKING: Neymar reportedly underwent an MRI scan yesterday and was said to have left the clinic visibly emotional and concerned.
— Goals Side (@goalsside) May 28, 2026
Meanwhile, staff working with Carlo Ancelotti are believed to suspect that Santos FC may have downplayed the severity of the injury, initially… pic.twitter.com/jsrUBFzkDW
Neymar's World Cup Availability in Doubt as Brazil Prepare for Panama Friendly
Brazil has three more training sessions at Granja Comary before Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana.
Ancelotti is also without defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Marquinhos and forward Gabriel Martinelli for the Panama match as all three prepare for Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
After the Panama friendly, Brazil travels to Cleveland to face Egypt before opening their World Cup campaign against African champions Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey. Brazil and Morocco are in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland.
Related: Mauricio Pochettino Explains Why USMNT's World Cup Snubs Only Received an Email
Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 5:47 AM.