Neymar given Brazil boost as World Cup approaches

For the last three years Neymar has struggled with a succession of serious fitness issues, leaving him on the brink of missing out on Brazil’s World Cup squad. But now, with less than 100 days to go before the start of the tournament, two injuries may have given Neymar’s World Cup hopes an unexpected boost.

In recent weeks Rodrygo Goes and Estêvão Willian have both suffered serious injury setbacks. Real Madrid have confirmed that Rodrygo has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, ruling him out of the World Cup. Estêvão has been sidelined for the last two weeks with a hamstring injury and has not yet been cleared to return.

Those two injuries to right-sided forwards come as Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is finalizing his squad for the upcoming international break at the end of March. Brazil will take on France (March 26) and Croatia (March 31), the final full international break before this summer’s tournament.

If Rodrygo and Estêvão were both to miss out, would Ancelotti consider a recall for Neymar? Santos’ early elimination form the Campeonato Paulista has limited the opportunities for Neymar to impress back in his homeland but there are two games remaining before the Brazil squad is announced: against Mirassol (March 10) and Corinthians (March 15). If Neymar can impress in those two games, there is a chance that he may be able to force his way back into the Brazil squad.

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