Neymar is expected to return to Brazil’s World Cup squad for their clash with Scotland after Carlo Ancelotti outlined the next step in his recovery.
Brazil have navigated Group C without their biggest name so far, but the knockout rounds are now close enough for careful squad management to matter.
There has been no rush to bring him back, and Ancelotti’s plan shows Brazil still see Neymar as a real tournament weapon.
Neymar injury update gives Brazil World Cup boost ahead of Scotland
According to Fabrizio Romano, Ancelotti detailed Neymar’s return plan after Brazil’s win over Haiti.
Ancelotti said: “Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then Sunday back training with the team and then called up against Scotland.”
That is the clearest sign yet that Neymar is nearing full fitness. He injured his right calf while playing for Santos in a 3-0 defeat to Coritiba on May 17, before Brazil’s World Cup campaign began.
He missed the 1-1 draw with Morocco and the 3-0 win over Haiti. Brazil kept him back because a setback before the knockout rounds would have been far more damaging than missing one more group game.
Brazil beat Haiti as Carlo Ancelotti prepares Neymar return
Brazil gave Ancelotti room to be patient by beating Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia.
Matheus Cunha scored twice and Vinicius Junior added another, a result that moved Brazil to the top of Group C and eliminated Haiti.
The performance mattered after Brazil’s opening draw with Morocco. It gave the group a cleaner shape before the final matchday, with Scotland waiting in Miami Gardens on June 24.
That is the match Neymar is now expected to be called up for. It does not guarantee he starts, but it puts him back in Brazil’s matchday picture at the right time.
Ancelotti’s challenge is balance. Brazil need Neymar’s creativity, experience and aura, but they also need him fit when the tournament becomes unforgiving.
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