Adedokun Waliyu 
Brazil forward Neymar is doubtful for the start of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury that will require two to three weeks of treatment, according to Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.
The 34-year-old Santos star will miss Brazil’s two pre-World Cup friendly matches against Panama and Egypt. He may also be unavailable for Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco on June 13.
Lasmar explained that an MRI scan confirmed a grade two muscle injury.
“Our expectation is that he will be available in two to three weeks,” the doctor said at Brazil’s pre-tournament training camp near Rio de Janeiro.
Neymar joined his teammates at the training centre on Wednesday but did not participate in the first training session.
He has already missed several recent matches for Santos because of what club coach Cuca previously described as a slight injury.
Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man World Cup squad surprised many fans because he had not played for the national team in almost three years.
A combination of injuries and poor form had kept him out of the squad, and Ancelotti had earlier excluded him from Brazil’s March friendlies against France and Croatia because of concerns about his fitness.
Despite his recent struggles, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances for the national team.
The upcoming tournament will be his fourth World Cup appearance.
His last match for Brazil was in 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
