Carlo Ancelotti has given Brazil a boost over Neymar’s fitness as the forward steps up his recovery from injury ahead of the World Cup.
The Santos attacker has been training individually since suffering a grade two left calf injury, and what happens next will depend on the result of his upcoming scan.
Neymar is due to undergo an MRI on Monday, and if the result is positive, he could rejoin full training with the squad next week.
Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar is making progress
Speaking ahead of Brazil’s final warm-up match, Ancelotti said the 34-year-old has been making good progress with his individual work.
The Brazil manager said Neymar is doing a great job individually and could train with the group next week if everything is fine after the scan.
That is the key detail. Brazil are encouraged, but they do not have a confirmed return date yet.
Neymar will not travel for Brazil’s friendly against Egypt in Cleveland, with the match coming too soon for him at this stage of the recovery plan.
Neymar’s Brazil return depends on Monday scan
The next step is clear. Neymar needs the MRI to show enough progress before Brazil move him from individual work into team training.
He will instead stay in New Jersey for physiotherapy and physical recovery work while the rest of the squad complete the Egypt fixture.
Timing is crucial, as Brazil begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on 13 June at MetLife Stadium.
For now, the update is encouraging rather than definitive. Ancelotti has left the door open, but Neymar’s scan will decide whether that optimism becomes a training return.
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