Ancelotti says Neymar to miss Morocco after Monday MRI

ancelotti got the update Brazil wanted on Neymar’s recovery, but not the one that changes the opener. After a control MRI on Monday showed good progress, the Brazil and Santos forward will not be called up for the World Cup match against Morocco.

Neymar and Brazil

The medical bulletin said his recovery from a second-degree muscle injury in his right calf is moving according to plan, and that he will continue rehabilitation and physical preparation with Brazil’s medical staff. The injury was reported on May 17 while he was with Santos, and the national team is now managing his return step by step rather than pushing him back too soon.

CBF medical bulletin

"L'atleta Neymar si è sottoposto a una risonanza magnetica lunedì. L'esame ha confermato buoni progressi, in linea con le previsioni. Proseguirà il recupero e la preparazione fisica con lo staff medico della Nazionale brasiliana" — CBF.

Brazil plans to increase his workload gradually before authorizing his return to play. That is why the immediate call for Morocco is off the table even with the scan trending in the right direction.

June 20 and June 24

The target return sits on June 20 against Haiti, Brazil’s second group match. If he gets through that game, the final group fixture against Scotland on June 24 would come next in the recovery path, giving Brazil a later-stage option without forcing the issue now.