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The injury situation surrounding Neymar has reportedly caused divisions within the Brazilian national team.

SUPERBALL.ID – Once seen as Brazil’s brightest hope ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Neymar has now sparked major controversy within the Selecao amid suspicions that he concealed the true extent of his calf injury.

Neymar has once again found himself at the center of controversy in Brazilian football, following new reports suggesting that his injury is far more serious than initially stated by Santos.

According to Brazilian media outlets, several members of the national team felt they had been placed in an uncomfortable position after publicly urging coach Carlo Ancelotti to recall the 34-year-old star to the squad.

Sources indicate that Ancelotti only decided to include Neymar in Brazil’s 26-man World Cup roster after an emotional and tense video call held less than 24 hours before the squad announcement.

As reported by The Sun, senior players such as Casemiro and Vinicius Jr. are also said to have supported Neymar’s inclusion.

However, following the results of the latest medical tests, doubts began to emerge within the Brazilian camp regarding the entire selection process of the Santos forward.

Tensions increased further when Neymar arrived at Brazil’s training base in Teresopolis aboard his custom Batman-themed helicopter, only to be declared unfit for training.

The Brazilian Football Confederation immediately requested further medical evaluation, with team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar personally accompanying Neymar for an MRI scan.

Medical staff at the clinic were reportedly asked to sign confidentiality agreements before conducting the examination.

The subsequent test results reportedly alarmed Brazil’s coaching staff.

Neymar was diagnosed with a grade-two muscle tear in his right calf, meaning roughly 50 percent of the muscle fibers were partially damaged, accompanied by internal bleeding and significant inflammation.

His estimated recovery time is at least two to three weeks.

This effectively rules him out of Brazil’s upcoming friendly matches against Panama and Egypt.

Additionally, Neymar now faces a strong likelihood of missing the World Cup opener against Morocco on June 14.

According to Brazilian media, what has upset many players is not only the seriousness of the injury but also suspicions that Santos misjudged Neymar’s condition.

Earlier, the club had merely reported minor fluid buildup and light bruising, insisting that the player was fit to resume training upon rejoining the team.

Some sources have even questioned whether Santos deliberately withheld information from Ancelotti to ensure Neymar’s participation in the World Cup, although no concrete evidence has surfaced to support claims involving Neymar’s father.

Amid growing pressure, Neymar will still travel with the Brazilian national team to the United States next week to continue his rehabilitation.

However, trust in him within the squad is said to have been significantly shaken.

A source close to the Selecao admitted: “It feels as if the entire Brazilian football community is being held hostage by Neymar’s situation.”

Given Ancelotti’s earlier statement that he would not call up unfit players, his decision to retain Neymar in the squad has become one of the most contentious issues ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

It remains to be seen whether Neymar can recover quickly enough to make a meaningful contribution for Brazil in this year’s World Cup campaign.