Neymar’s absence from Brazil squad
Brazil forward Neymar will not travel with his team for their second World Cup group game against Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday. The Brazilian football association confirmed this as he continues to recover from a calf injury.
The 34-year-old was seen doing drills with the squad after warming up separately in boots and with the ball during a training session on Wednesday. However, he had been limited to indoor work at the team’s training center with physiotherapists and fitness coaches due to Brazil being cautious about his return to action.
Neymar injured his right calf during Santos’ 3-0 defeat by Coritiba last month. This is the latest in a long run of injuries and physical setbacks for the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward, who has not played for Brazil in almost three years.
Brazil currently have one point after their opening World Cup campaign with a draw against Morocco, while Haiti are bottom of the group after losing to Scotland.