🤔 CBF U-turns on Neymar return in first phase, paper says | OneFootball

The Brazilian national team's coaching staff planning regarding Neymar has changed course in light of slower-than-expected progress.

According to the newspaper O Globo, the CBF has given up on setting a return date for Neymar during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The No. 10 has now gone a month without stepping onto the pitch to train and has officially been ruled out of the clash against Haiti this Friday (19).

According to O Globo, the new behind-the-scenes stance is aimed at easing the overwhelming pressure on the player and the squad.

If he shows significant improvement over the next few days, the forward could, in the most optimistic scenario, get a few minutes against Scotland on June 24.

However, the medical staff's current mindset is zero risk: Neymar should only be pushed if Brazil faces an extremely urgent situation, with his actual use projected only for the knockout stage.

Recovery process

Current stage: After undergoing new imaging tests in New Jersey, the forward showed satisfactory progress in the injury to his right calf, but still not enough to move on to the next phase. He remains limited to strength work in the medical department and still needs to go through on-pitch physical transition before touching the ball.

Deadline passed: The initial three-week forecast given by doctor Rodrigo Lasmar expires tomorrow, showing that the timeline has run over without the star being ready.

Shielding strategy: The CBF, which had been fairly transparent about the player's medical condition, chose to shut the doors. Details of the treatment will now only be released if there is a real qualitative leap. The lack of clarity has generated noise and criticism within the political wing of the federation, but Carlo Ancelotti's priority is to protect the group.

After the 1-1 draw in the opener against Morocco, the medical updates had been used as "ammunition" for outside criticism.

In response, Brazil increased its level of isolation in the United States, even limiting players' exposure in press conferences at the training center to contain internal unrest.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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