MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — Neymar is not traveling to Cleveland. brazil world cup team The country’s soccer association said it made exhibition adjustments for Saturday’s game against Egypt.
The Brazilian soccer federation announced Thursday that the 34-year-old forward will remain in New Jersey to receive treatment.
Last week, the team doctor said Neymar said: expected to be absent 2-3 weeks due to calf injury. Brazil’s World Cup opener will be against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but it was unclear whether Neymar would be ready to play.
Selecting Neymar on the 26-man roster was considered a risk due to his health status. He is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, but has struggled since returning home. Tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee at the World Cup Qualifiers in October 2023.
“We can still improve our fitness until the first game of the World Cup,” manager Carlos Ancelotti said last month. “He has experience in this type of competition, he loves our group, and he can create a better environment for this group.”
Neymar has played eight games for Santos FC this year, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
FIFA rules allow injured players to be replaced one day before a team’s first match in the tournament. If he plays, it will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup.
Brazil appointed 32-year-old defender Marquinhos as captain earlier this week.
“I feel very honored and very happy because I think I think of all the legendary captains who have ever worn this armband,” Marquinhos said in Portuguese on Wednesday. “Being a captain is more than just putting on an armband and playing football. It’s more than that. It starts with the person and what they can contribute to the group, their teammates and the team as a whole.”
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