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Carlo Ancelotti chose not to overthink Neymar’s injury, remaining calm and allowing the player to recover at his own pace.

SUPERBALL.ID - Brazil national team coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted he would not rush Neymar’s return to training camp after discovering the forward had sustained a serious injury.

Neymar was diagnosed with a grade two injury, which will sideline him for the next two to three weeks.

The injury was detected after Neymar underwent a full medical examination with the Brazil national team, and the problem only became clear after an MRI scan.

Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar was reportedly surprised by the result, as earlier reports had suggested Neymar was only dealing with a minor calf issue.

That earlier information came from Santos FC — Neymar’s current club — and there had even been rumours he might be dropped and miss the upcoming World Cup.

However, Carlo Ancelotti took a different stance, appearing determined to keep Neymar on the team.

This decision raised eyebrows, as Neymar’s inclusion in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup surprised many observers.

Over the past three years, Neymar has struggled with recurring injuries, spending more time on the sidelines than on the pitch.

Why Ancelotti still decided to include him in the 2026 World Cup squad remains a matter of speculation.

“He’s progressing well; he’s fine. We’re not in a hurry,” said Carlo Ancelotti.

“We want to compete against our opponents, do our best, and work hard.”

“Everyone knows what Brazil’s expectations are. Everyone knows there are no favourites.”

“There are several strong teams, and I believe Brazil can compete with any of them,” he added.

Nevertheless, Neymar’s legacy remains significant as Brazil’s all-time top scorer.

He has netted 79 goals in 128 appearances, and this year’s World Cup will be his fourth tournament appearance.

However, Neymar’s influence has waned, as he has been unable to restore Brazil’s former dominance seen in previous World Cup editions.

In this year’s World Cup, Brazil are placed in Group C alongside Scotland, Haiti, and Morocco.

As a nation with a rich footballing heritage, Brazil are naturally expected to progress to the next stage regardless of their current squad composition.

Brazil will face Morocco in their opening group-stage match on Sunday (June 14) at MetLife Stadium.

Morocco are no pushovers — they were crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite losing the final to Senegal, as they were later awarded the title.

Ancelotti will need to be cautious of Morocco’s key players, including Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Yassine Bounou, and Ismael Saibari.

The matchup promises to be an exciting one — will there be a surprising twist when these two teams meet?