Neymar has suffered a grade two injury to his right calf, with Rodrigo Lasmar confirming that the expected recovery time is between two and three weeks. The setback means the forward will miss the final stretch of Brazil national football team’s World Cup preparation matches.

The injury is set to rule Neymar out of upcoming friendlies against Panama on Sunday (31st) and Egypt on June 6, disrupting the coaching staff’s plans in the build-up to the tournament.

There is also growing concern that his recovery timeline could extend into the World Cup itself, with doubts over his availability for Brazil’s opening group match against Morocco. His participation will depend on how quickly he regains full fitness in the coming weeks. As Lasmar noted, the issue goes beyond simple swelling, highlighting the seriousness of the injury.

The diagnosis came shortly after Neymar missed Brazil’s first official training session at Granja Comary in Teresópolis, where he was sent for medical tests at a local clinic, further raising alarm within the camp.

Neymar had already arrived in camp with swelling in his calf area, with the issue first beginning on May 17 when the forward felt pain during Santos FC’s 3-0 defeat to Coritiba in the Brazilian league.

Since that match, Neymar had not resumed training with the ball, a worrying sign that ultimately led to the confirmation of the injury in the latest medical report.

The setback had been building over several days, with the player’s condition failing to improve before Brazil’s staff formally assessed the situation and ruled him out.