Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti played down any urgency to bring star forward Neymar straight back from a calf problem as the squad landed in the United States for the World Cup, saying the key is to manage the player’s return properly rather than rush it.
Ancelotti previously indicated that Neymar could be ready for Brazil’s opening stretch of group fixtures at the tournament staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico—specifically describing a return for the “first or second” match in the group phase.
That timeline gained context last week when Brazil’s team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, confirmed the forward, aged 34, had picked up a calf injury and was expected to miss action for as long as three weeks.
Brazil will begin their campaign against Morocco on June 13, kicking off what Ancelotti described as a campaign built around hard work and competitiveness rather than fear or pressure from past reputations.
Speaking after the team touched down in Newark, the Italian said: “He’s progressing well, he’s doing well, we’re in no rush.”
Neymar’s spot in Ancelotti’s 26-man squad was notable, particularly because he has not featured for Brazil for nearly three years and has also dealt with injury issues in recent seasons.
Despite the recent setbacks, Neymar remains Brazil’s leading marksman of all time, having scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for the national team. The tournament in North America will be his fourth World Cup.
Brazil are heading to the tournament with a different kind of standing than in many previous editions, with expectations shaped as much by recent results as by their historic pedigree.
The side finished fifth in South American qualifying and, over the past year, have suffered defeats to France, Japan and Bolivia.
Still, Ancelotti insisted that those results will not define how Brazil perform once the World Cup begins.
“We want to compete with opponents, try to do our best, work hard – everyone knows what Brazil’s expectations are,” he said.
He added: “Everyone knows that there are no favourites, there are some strong teams and I think Brazil can compete with anyone.”
While Brazil may not have the same aura that surrounded earlier generations, veteran midfielder Casemiro said the pressure at home remains unmistakable, with supporters expecting the team to aim for a sixth world title.
“There are big expectations, it will be tough, but we are very excited, we want to win,” Casemiro said.
Brazil are placed in Group C, where they will face Morocco first, before playing Haiti and Scotland afterwards.
