Neymar misses Brazil in Panama and Egypt friendlies in preparation for World Cup

Brazilian star Neymar da Silva has been confirmed to be absent from his country's national team in the two friendlies against Panama and Egypt in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, due to suffering from a calf injury, which will keep him out of the stadiums for more than two weeks.

The Brazilian national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, revealed on Thursday (May 28) that Neymar had been injured in a press conference, saying: "Neymar underwent all the medical examinations, which concluded with an MRI scan that showed a second-degree injury to the calf, not just swelling."

 "He is expected to be allowed to return to the courts in two to three weeks," Lasmar continued, noting that  a second-degree calf strain is a moderate injury that includes a partial tear in the muscle fibers, and requires rest and rehabilitation, meaning that Neymar will not play in the home friendly against Panama on Sunday, as well as against Egypt in a friendly in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, June 6.

Two conflicting diagnoses of Neymar's injury

This diagnosis is different from the diagnosis given by Rodrigo Zogayeb, the doctor of Santos, before the announcement of the team's line-up, who stated that the problem is just swelling and that Neymar will be ready to start training.

Five-time champions Brazil begin their World Cup Group C campaign on June 13  against Morocco in New Jersey, then face Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19  and Scotland on June 24  in Miami.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer, who has scored 79 goals in 128 caps, joined the squad on Tuesday but missed the first training session on Wednesday and was sent for checks after complaining of swelling in his right calf.

Neymar has not played for the Seleção since 2023 due to injuries, but he was selected for the World Cup at the expense of Chelsea striker Joao Pedro and Tottenham striker Richarlison, to participate for the fourth time in the World Cup, after also representing Brazil in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

The Seleção are already missing Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as Marquinhos, the captain of Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain, for the Panama match due to their participation in the Champions League final on May 30.