Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti don make am clear say Neymar go still dey part of im World Cup squad, even with the calf injury wey dey trouble the forward.
Neymar no don play for Brazil since October 2023 when im tear ACL, and since May 17 im don dey out with right calf problem. But Ancelotti still call am for the 26-man squad last week.
Santos, Neymar club, first diagnose am with edema—just swelling for calf—and dem believe say im go fit for this week. But when Brazil medical staff test am, dem find say na grade 2 muscle strain, wey go sideline am for another two to three weeks.
When journalist ask Ancelotti on Saturday whether im for still call Neymar if im know say na grade-two strain, im reply with joke: “If my grandad get wheels, im for be car. Since I decide the squad, Neymar dey inside the 26.”
Ancelotti explain say Brazilian Football Confederation take over Neymar medical after dem don select am. Im still expect say Neymar go be part of Brazil World Cup plan, and im fit still play later for group stage even if im miss opening match against Morocco on June 13.
“We think im fit for first World Cup match. If im no fit for first, im go fit for second. So we no get doubt,” Ancelotti tok.
“I no go change anything. The 26 players wey dem select na dem go play for World Cup.”
The Italian coach also say im don yarn with Neymar about im role for team, and say the forward dey work hard to regain fitness.
Brazil go open World Cup campaign against Morocco, then face Haiti on June 18 and Scotland on June 23.
At press conference for Teresópolis, on eve of friendly against Panama for Maracanã, Ancelotti guarantee Neymar presence: “Make we talk clear, Neymar go dey with us. We think im fit recover for first match, and if not for second.”
Im stress say “No doubt say these 26 players go play for World Cup.”
The first days of training camp don full with talk about Neymar condition, wey Ancelotti include for squad at last minute under strong pressure from fans, dressing room, and press.
Santos downplay the injury as “edema” before squad announcement, but Brazil medical staff do dem own test and find grade II muscle injury for right calf, with recovery time of two to three weeks.
Ancelotti say dem receive report from Santos say Neymar get “edema” and dem let club handle matter until May 27 when training camp start.
But even with injury, im defend Neymar call-up: “The player dem call am because im must be called. We think Neymar go recover as soon as possible. Im dey work well, im dey good spirit.”
“Im unlucky with that small issue, but Neymar dey work very well individually to recover soon,” im add.
Ancelotti also reveal say im don yarn with Neymar about recovery and im role for World Cup wey go start for United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Neymar understand very well the role wey im get to play for this World Cup. Every day im dey do well. Im dey work very well to recover as soon as possible.”
“Im dey for good environment, but the important thing be say im clear understand im role and I think im don understand am well.”
