There was a moment of concern for Brazilian football fans this week after Neymar suffered a calf injury while playing for Santos FC.
However, the latest medical update suggests the setback is not expected to derail his plans for international duty with the Brazil national football team ahead of the World Cup.
Santos head of medical services, Rodrigo Zogaib, confirmed that Neymar has been diagnosed with a small edema in his right calf, resulting in localized swelling.
“Neymar has a minor calf injury, an edema,” Zogaib told Brazilian sports network Ge. “But, according to our planning, his progress will allow him to be fit next week when he will join up with the national team.”
The injury will keep Neymar out of Santos’ upcoming matches, but club doctors remain confident that the issue is minor and manageable. The 34-year-old has been undergoing treatment at Santos’ Rei Pelé Training Center alongside his personal medical staff and is also being closely monitored by doctors from the Brazilian Football Confederation.
The timing of the injury attracted particular attention because it was confirmed just two days after new Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar in his final 26-man squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament will mark Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance, further cementing his place among the most significant figures in Brazilian football history.
According to ESPN sources, the injury triggered concern within Ancelotti’s coaching staff in the hours leading up to the squad announcement. There were fears that the issue could disrupt Neymar’s initial training schedule with the national team and potentially affect his availability for Brazil’s friendly against Panama on May 31.
For now, however, medical assessments appear encouraging.
Brazil’s coaching staff are expected to continue planning with Neymar as a key component of their World Cup preparations, while maintaining a cautious approach to his recovery. Given his recent injury history, neither Santos nor the national team are likely to take unnecessary risks with the country’s all-time leading scorer.
The episode once again highlights the delicate challenge of managing one of football’s biggest stars as he balances club commitments with the demands of international competition.
For Brazilian supporters, though, the most important message remains clear: the injury is considered minor, recovery is progressing as expected, and Neymar is still on track to join Brazil’s World Cup camp next week as preparations begin for another global title challenge.
