Neymar, the 34-year-old Brazilian forward who once dropped $1.12 million on two Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs, can’t seem to catch a break. A grade 2 calf injury diagnosed on May 27 has kept him out of full training with the national team in New Jersey, and his availability for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 remains genuinely uncertain.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has scheduled physical tests for Neymar around June 8-9 to determine whether the star can rejoin the squad in time. The typical recovery window for a grade 2 calf strain runs two to three weeks, which puts the math uncomfortably close to kickoff day.
The injury timeline and what it means for Brazil
Neymar missed Brazil’s final pre-tournament friendly against Egypt after the calf diagnosis. As of early June, he remains in New Jersey undergoing treatment, separated from the group sessions that are critical for building chemistry ahead of a World Cup.
The June 8-9 physical tests will be the decisive moment. If Neymar passes, he could potentially be integrated into light team training with enough time to get match-fit. If he doesn’t, Brazil will need to adjust their tactical setup for at least the group stage opener.
