Santos stated this Thursday (28) that they shared with the CBF all the tests carried out by Neymar since the injury, on May 17th, and that his estimated return to activities was Sunday (31st).
Earlier, the Brazilian team’s doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, had made a statement in which he stated that the player’s injury was more serious than just edema.
“He presented himself here yesterday at Granja Comary. He took all the exams here, also the complementary exams [em uma clínica de Teresópolis]with an MRI. A grade 2 calf injury was identified, not just edema. The player remains in treatment. The expectation is that it will be released within two to three weeks,” said Lasmar.
After the statement by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), Santos released a note in which it said that “absolutely all tests carried out by Neymar Jr. were shared” with the team’s doctors before the call-up. “The two-week period [para recuperação] is counted from the 17th [dia da lesão] and ends this Sunday (31) so that the player is able to return to activities. Always remember that these estimates vary from person to person and depending on the team’s needs and the importance of the games.”
“Santos professionals know the athlete’s recovery capacity and are confident that Neymar will be ready to compete in the World Cup”, adds the club.
According to the prediction presented by the team’s doctor, however, it is very unlikely that Neymar will be available to Carlo Ancelotti at the start of the World Cup. Brazil’s debut in Group C will take place on June 13, 16 days from Thursday. After this match against Morocco in East Rutherford, the team will face Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia and Scotland on June 24 in Miami Gardens.
The situation caused a lot of discomfort among CBF directors and the technical committee. It was clear to them that the player and also Santos were not clear about the injury, which occurred on the eve of the festive call-up of Brazil’s 26 athletes for the World Cup.
At the time, Neymar complained a lot when he was substituted in the black and white team’s 3-0 defeat to Coritiba, at the Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo. There was a mistake on the sign displayed by the refereeing team, and number 10 ended up leaving, saying he was able to continue on the field.
Last Tuesday (26), Neymar was in Vila to watch Santos’ match against Deportivo Cuenca. Surrounded by microphones and asked about the problem, he quipped: “What’s the problem?” He heard, of course, that the subject was his calf. “It’s here, in one piece,” he replied sarcastically.
When asked about the topic, Santos’ doctors pointed to a “confidentiality contract” and treated it superficially. Unofficially, there was talk of an edema of two millimeters. The CBF only said that it was waiting for the player – and everyone else – for examinations at the group’s presentation.
