Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Neymar will miss Brazil's opening game of the World Cup against Morocco on Saturday, leaving the Selecao without their record goalscorer for the Group stage curtain-raiser.
The 34-year-old forward has been struggling with a calf injury and is yet to return to full training, dealing a major blow to Brazil's hopes of a strong start. Ancelotti said Neymar would begin training with the squad next week, casting doubt on his availability for the second group match against Haiti on 20 June.
“Neymar will miss Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco due to a calf injury, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed.”
"Neymar is working very hard to recover as quickly as possible," Ancelotti said. "The expectation is that he will recover and rejoin the group next week. When we call up Neymar, we call him not only for his technical quality, which is indisputable, but also for his experience and the example he can set for the young players in this group."
Brazil conclude their group campaign against Scotland on 24 June, but Neymar's participation in that match remains uncertain. The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star has not played for the Selecao since 2023 amid persistent injury struggles, yet he was still selected for the World Cup ahead of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham forward Richarlison.
Neymar is Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps, surpassing Pele's record of 77. The Santos forward could play at a fourth World Cup, having represented Brazil at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments. For now, Brazil's formidable attack will have to cope without him, with Ancelotti facing a significant selection dilemma for the Morocco clash.