Neymar Raises Concerns Again in Brazil

Santos confirmed on Sunday that Neymar has sustained a muscle edema in his right thigh, leaving him doubtful just as Carlo Ancelotti is set to announce Brazil’s roster for their final South American World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia.

According to the club, the 33-year-old forward felt discomfort during training and will undergo treatment for at least a week. If recovery goes as planned, he could return on August 31 when Santos face Fluminense in the Brazilian league.

The former Barcelona and PSG star was already unavailable for this weekend’s match against Bahía due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. Now, the major question is whether he will be fit enough to make Ancelotti’s list, which is set to be revealed Monday.

Ancelotti Faces a Key Decision

Brazil has already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup and will close out their campaign by hosting Chile on September 4 in Rio de Janeiro, before traveling to El Alto, near La Paz, to face Bolivia on September 9. These matches will serve as preparation under the leadership of the Italian coach, who took charge of the national team earlier this year after leaving Real Madrid.

For Neymar, the situation is particularly delicate, as he has not played for the national team since October 2023 due to recurring injuries. Despite showing signs of regaining form in recent weeks with Santos, his contribution was not enough to prevent a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Vasco da Gama, a result that left the club hovering near the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship.

The star forward’s physical condition once again raises doubts about his ability to remain Brazil’s leading figure. As for their opponents, Chile has already been eliminated, while Bolivia sits in eighth place with 17 points, just one behind Venezuela, which currently holds the playoff spot.

Neymar’s immediate future will depend on how he recovers in the coming days, but once again his presence with the national team is uncertain, fueling questions about whether he can still perform at the highest level.