Brazil concerned over Neymar injury ahead of World Cup preparation

Brazil suffered a major setback in the midst of World Cup preparations. Star forward Neymar could not participate in the team's first training session due to a right calf injury. He has been sent to a specialized clinic for medical tests, which has once again created uncertainty about his participation in the World Cup.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday that 34-year-old Neymar was not in the team's training session at Granja Comari. He underwent a scan at a private clinic in Teresopolis to assess the condition of his injury.

In a statement, the CBF said that no further information will be released on the matter until a full assessment by the national team's medical team is completed. However, Neymar's absence has become the biggest discussion on the second day of the training camp.

Brazil will play a friendly match against Panama at the Maracana on Sunday. Before that, the five-time world champions will hold three more training sessions at Granja Comari.

 Neymar's return to the team last week caused quite a stir. Because the forward was not in Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti's plans for a whole year after taking charge.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer, has scored 79 goals in 128 matches for the national team. However, he will not play in the Brazil jersey again after 2023. There were already questions about his fitness and form due to long-term injuries and poor performances at club Santos.

Now is a very important time for Brazil. After the match against Panama, they will face Egypt in Cleveland. Then their World Cup campaign will begin against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13. Brazil's other two opponents in Group 'C' are Haiti and Scotland.

In an interview given to Reuters in early May, Ancelotti made it clear that Neymar would not get a place in the team just because of his name. According to him, fitness and current performance will be the main criteria for selection. Now, Brazil is looking at Neymar's medical report.