An unexpected player on the bench

The bench is where Neymar belongs at this stage. In the round of 16 match against Japan, the Brazilian star did not start as a starter, a decision that surprised the fans.

The main reason is linked to his physical condition. Neymar has been dealing with an injury to his right calf that has been bothering him throughout the pre-tournament preparation. Although the latest medical studies confirmed a positive development, the coaching staff led by Carlo Ancelotti decided not to risk him from the start. The idea was to save him for the decisive minutes and avoid a relapse that could leave him out of the competition.

The injury saga

Santos' number 10 had already missed important friendlies against Panama and Egypt, and he came off the bench for the World Cup opener against Scotland, meaning he finally played, but for a limited number of minutes. Since then, his participation has been carefully managed, with differentiated training and constant monitoring by the CBF medical team.

Doesn't seem to be indispensable

The decision to leave him on the bench against Japan is also part of a tactical strategy. Brazil has a large and offensive squad, with top-level strikers like Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha. Ancelotti would opt for a more dynamic and fast-paced strategy to wear down the Japanese defense, keeping Neymar as a game-changer for the second half

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