Neymar’s latest calf injury puts his availability for Brazil’s World Cup opener in doubt, adding another chapter to his long history of tournament setbacks.
The 34-year-old forward is one of the greatest Brazilian football players in history, but his career has been anything but easy, with a long list of injuries creating setback after setback.
He is currently trying to recover from a calf injury, putting him in a race against time to be fit enough to play for Brazil this summer.
Neymar is no stranger to injuries throughout his career, with the most noticeable affecting his World Cup career.
- 2014 FIFA World Cup
He got his first major World Cup injury in a match against Colombia. When Colombian defender Juan Camilo Zuniga kneed Neymar in the back, it fractured his third vertebra, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament.
Neymar told The Players’ Tribune: “I couldn’t move my legs. And the doctor took me out and I started to…to cry. And then I understood that there was no way to continue.”
This potentially led to Brazil’s infamous 7-1 loss in the semi final. Luckily, he was able to recover and went on to improve as a player post injury.
- 2018 FIFA World Cup
Despite not being injured during this World Cup, he entered it just three months after fracturing his foot while playing for PSG. And then again in training, right before the World Cup, he damaged his ankle. He was heavily criticised during the tournament for his ‘theatrics’ and, despite being cleared to play, it wasn’t enough to secure a World Cup win. Brazil ultimately got knocked out in the quarter finals, losing 2-1 to Belgium.
Neymar responded to the scrutiny in an interview with the BBC saying: “I think it’s more an attempt to undermine me than anything else.
“I don’t care much for criticism, or praise, because it can influence your attitude. In the last two matches I didn’t talk to the press because I didn’t want to.”
- 2022 FIFA World Cup
A heavy tackle by a Serbian player damaged a ligament in Neymar’s right ankle. He missed the next two games against Switzerland and Cameroon and was cleared to return in the
round of 16 against South Korea where he scored, contributing to Brazil’s 4-1 victory. His recovery from injury and return to the field was an asset to Brazil.
- 2026 FIFA World Cup
Neymar hasn’t had much luck in World Cup tournaments as he is now set to miss the start of the upcoming 2026 tournament due to a calf injury. It is said to be a minor injury and he will only be missing the pre-tournament friendlies.
It is still uncertain whether he will be fit to play in the opening World Cup matches this year.
We’ll be following his recovery journey and have more updates in the upcoming days.
