Brazil provide Neymar injury update ahead of Haiti World Cup clash
The Brazilian Soccer Confederation has confirmed he will not be included in the squad to face Haiti. He will remain in New Jersey to continue his recovery.
Neymar’s World Cup debut will have to wait.
In an official statement, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) announced that the No. 10 will not be part of the squad for Brazil’s game against Haiti on Friday evening (8.30 p.m. ET). Instead, Neymar will remain in New Jersey to continue the final stages of his recovery, with no desire to take unnecessary risks.
“Player Neymar will not travel with the delegation to Philadelphia. He will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process, making use of the excellent facilities at The Ridge Hotel and the Columbia Park Training Center,” the statement from the Brazilian federation read.
Fine-tuning Neymar’s return
The decision represents another setback in Neymar’s World Cup journey.
The forward returned to training with the group earlier this week, although he had yet to work with the ball. The initial expectation was that he would at least be on the bench for Brazil’s second group-stage match, supporting his teammates from the sidelines. However, after discussions with the federation, it was decided that he would stay behind and focus on completing his recovery.
As AS previously reported, the timeline for Neymar’s return in Brazil’s famous yellow jersey remains uncertain.
Before the team traveled to the United States, there had been hopes he could make his first appearance in Philadelphia. Now, that possibility has disappeared, and even a debut in Brazil’s final group-stage game against Scotland in Miami is beginning to look increasingly unlikely.
In Group C Brazil got off to a sluggish start with a draw against Morocco, while Scotland top the group after their 1-0 win over Haiti, making them the only European side in the World Cup to win their opening game without conceding.
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