Santos FC forward Neymar has suffered a calf injury just days after being named to Brazil’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Santos team officials reported.
The 34-year-old experienced discomfort in his right calf during a recent training session with Santos in Brazil, and medical scans later revealed a moderate edema in the muscle, according to Brazilian outlet O Globo. The Brazilian Football Confederation is treating the issue as a moderate injury that will require rehabilitation before he can return to full training.
The setback comes after head coach Carlo Ancelotti included Neymar in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup roster announced Monday in Rio de Janeiro. Ancelotti told reporters that Neymar “has improved his fitness” and will be “an important player” for the tournament, adding that the forward still has time to improve his condition before Brazil’s opening match.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since October 2023 after tearing his ACL. He returned to Santos last year after a spell with Al Hilal and has made eight league appearances this season, scoring four goals.
If Neymar’s recovery proceeds as planned, he is expected to join Brazil’s pre-World Cup camp on schedule but will miss Santos’ remaining club matches to avoid further risk.