Injured Neymar could miss Brazil's World Cup opener

Injured Neymar could miss Brazil's World Cup openerImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023 when he suffered a knee injury during his country's 2-0 loss to UruguayByMichael EmonsBBC Sport journalistPublished2 minutes agoBrazil forward Neymar will not play in his country's upcoming friendly matches and could also miss their World Cup opener.The 34-year-old has been ruled out for "two to three weeks" with a calf injury.That would mean he will not play in the home friendly against Panama on Sunday and also against Egypt in a friendly in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, 6 June.Five-time winners Brazil begin their World Cup Group C campaign on 13 June against Morocco in New Jersey, then face Haiti in Philadelphia on 19 June and Scotland on 24 June in Miami.Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed Neymar's injury at a news conference and said: "Neymar underwent all the medical tests, which concluded with an MRI scan revealing a grade two calf injury, not just swelling. He is expected to be cleared in two to three weeks."A grade two calf strain is a moderate injury involving a partial tear of the muscle fibres that requires rest and rehabilitation.Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 international appearances, had joined the team on Tuesday but missed Wednesday's first training session and was sent for tests after complaints of swelling in his right calf. The diagnosis differs from that presented by his Santos club doctor prior to the squad announcement. Rodrigo Zogaib had stated the problem was merely swelling and that Neymar would arrive fit to begin training.Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti had already been without Arsenal defender Gabriel and forward Gabriel Martinelli for the Panama game because of their involvement in the Champions League final on 30 May against Paris St-Germain.Defender Marquinhos, who captains both Brazil and PSG, is also unavailable for the same reason.N...