Neymar's calf is healing on schedule. The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed on Sunday that his latest MRI showed "good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters" — cautious language, but a green light compared to the silence that's surrounded him for most of the last two years.
The 34-year-old hasn't played for Brazil since October 2023, his 128th cap. Since then it's been one setback after another — and the clock has been ticking louder with every passing month. A World Cup on home turf, or near enough, was always the dangled carrot. Now, for the first time in a while, it actually looks attainable.
Wesley out, Éderson in
The less welcome news: full back Wesley is gone before the tournament even starts. An MRI revealed a muscle injury to the adductor in his left thigh, forcing his withdrawal and prompting an immediate call-up for Atalanta midfielder Éderson, who will link up with the squad in the United States this week.
Éderson comes with minimal international experience — three caps since his debut in 2024, most recently a substitute appearance in a 4-1 loss to Argentina last March. Not the warmest recent form to bring into a World Cup. But his club form at Atalanta has been consistent enough to earn a reported $46.7 million move to Manchester United, a four-year deal with an option for a fifth. He arrives in Brazil camp mid-transfer, which is its own kind of distraction.
Whether Ancelotti sees him as a starter or depth cover matters. Brazil's midfield options are already stacked, and Éderson slotting in behind Casemiro changes the balance of how that unit functions — particularly if Neymar does return to full fitness and Ancelotti needs the midfield to carry more defensive weight behind an attack-heavy front line.
Brazil's group stage schedule
Brazil open against Morocco — Africa Cup of Nations champions — on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The group then continues:
- vs Haiti – June 19, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- vs Scotland – June 24, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
On paper, Group C is manageable. But Morocco won't be a walkover, and if Neymar isn't match-sharp by the opener, that front line looks noticeably thinner without him. Vinícius Júnior remains the fulcrum, but Brazil's betting odds for deep tournament runs hinge significantly on whether Neymar actually makes it onto the pitch — not just into the squad.
The CBF's statement said he'll "continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the medical staff." Positive. Carefully worded. Exactly what you'd expect from a federation managing expectations around a player who has been here before.
