Brazil forward Neymar is set to miss the national team’s World Cup opener against Morocco after being diagnosed with a grade-two calf injury, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed Thursday. The 34-year-old striker, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, underwent medical tests shortly after joining the team at their training center in Granja Comary near Rio de Janeiro.

CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed that an MRI scan showed a moderate calf strain involving a partial tear of muscle fibers, with an expected recovery time of two to three weeks. Neymar arrived at the camp last Wednesday but did not participate in the first training session due to calf swelling. He was sent for further examination at a private clinic in Teresopolis where the injury was identified.

As a result, Neymar will miss Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches against Panama on Sunday at the Maracana Stadium and Egypt on June 6 in Cleveland, Ohio. These games serve as preparation for Brazil’s opening World Cup match against Morocco, scheduled for June 13 in New Jersey, a game he is now also expected to miss.

This setback comes just over a week after Neymar sustained the injury while playing for Santos in a 3-0 defeat to Coritiba. Prior to the national team’s announcement, Santos’ medical staff had described the issue as swelling and indicated the forward would be fit for training, a statement that later proved inaccurate.

Neymar’s recent career has been marred by injuries, raising questions about his fitness and form. His last appearance for Brazil was in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay when he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in his knee. Since then, the forward, who has earned 128 caps for the national team, has not returned to peak performance.

Despite earlier doubts about his inclusion in the squad amid concerns over his fitness, Neymar was named in the World Cup roster by coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, his calf injury now casts significant uncertainty over his participation, particularly in Brazil’s pursuit of a sixth World Cup title.