Brazil provide Neymar progress update following scan

Neymar is making “good progress” with his recovery from a calf injury, Brazil have announced.

Brazil’s all-time top scorer was included in their 26-man squad for the World Cup, before it was revealed on May 29 that Neymar had sustained a grade two muscle tear playing for Santos the day before the squad was announced.

It was said that injury would keep him out for two to three weeks, though coach Carlo Ancelotti subsequently declared that the setback would not lead to Neymar dropping out of the World Cup squad.

Ancelotti said on Saturday that Neymar was expected to link-up with Brazil for training this week following an MRI, provided he came through that scan successfully.

And it appears the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is on track to join the camp after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) provided an update on his recovery.

“The athlete Neymar underwent an MRI scan this Monday,” the statement read. “The exam showed good progress in his treatment, within expected parameters.

“He will continue the recovery and physical preparation process planned by the Brazilian National Team’s medical staff.”

Neymar was included in the Brazil squad at the expense of Chelsea star Joao Pedro.

It was a controversial move by Ancelotti, who reportedly handed Neymar an ultimatum that he had to adhere to three specific rules if he wanted to go the tournament.

According to Globo, they were:

• An understanding and acceptance that he would not be one of the team captains
• An understanding and acceptance that he would not be a part of the starting XI
• To limit his social media activity during the tournament

The newspaper reported Neymar was happy to accept and promised Ancelotti he would do “everything possible to be useful to the team”.

Brazil beat Egypt 2-1 in their final warm-up game last Saturday and will face Morocco in their opening World Cup match in five days’ time.