Neymar's Injury Impact on Brazil's World Cup Campaign

Neymar watches, Brazil waits. For now, that is the reality of this World Cup campaign in the United States.

Brazil’s record goalscorer, owner of 79 international goals and the spotlight that comes with them, only rejoined full training with the squad this week after a right calf injury. He has not kicked a ball for his country since October 2023. He did not feature in the opening 1-1 draw with Morocco. He will not be involved against Haiti either.

Carlo Ancelotti has left the 34-year-old out of the matchday squad again, resisting the temptation to accelerate the comeback of his most decorated forward. The message from the coaching staff, according to Brazilian reports, is clear: no risks now, not with the rest of the tournament ahead.

Neymar’s physical condition has shadowed his selection from the start. Diagnosed in late May with a calf problem, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star has played only half of Santos’ games this year, his calendar chopped up by a series of fitness setbacks. His inclusion in the World Cup squad raised eyebrows across Brazil; his absence from the first two group matches underlines why.

Yet his presence still dominates the conversation around the Seleção — even when he is not on the pitch.

That was evident in Belo Horizonte, where Brazil’s 80-year-old president Lula could not resist a dig. When a young boy mentioned Neymar’s name during a ceremony at a hospital in the southeast city, Lula shot back: “Neymar? He is not even playing!” Then came the punchline, aimed squarely at the forward’s fragile status.

“Neymar is the first player to be called up to the national team who is working remotely,” Lula quipped, extending a theme he has enjoyed since the Morocco draw. On Wednesday he even joked that he was thinking of signing Lionel Messi to play for Brazil, a line that blended political theatre with football’s biggest rivalry.

Behind the jokes lies a serious calculation. Brazil have built their last three World Cup campaigns around Neymar. He has been the focal point, the lightning rod, the player expected to tilt tight games. At 34, with another injury on his record and a long spell without international football, that burden now collides with reality.

The forward did at least pull on his boots with his teammates for the first time on Wednesday, a small but significant step. Ancelotti, though, is in no mood to gamble. The staff want him fit for the business end, not limping through the group stage.

Brazil face Haiti later on Friday still searching for rhythm, still without their most famous finisher. Then comes Scotland in Miami on June 24, the final group game and the next realistic target for Neymar’s return.

If he makes it back by then, the narrative of this World Cup could swing again, just as it has so many times around him. If he does not, Brazil will have to prove they can finally write a World Cup story that is not entirely tied to the state of Neymar’s right calf.