Overview
- Medical exams confirmed a ruptured ACL and meniscus for Rodrygo, ruling the Real Madrid forward out of the June World Cup.
- CBF coordinator Rodrigo Caetano praised Neymar’s recovery at Santos, noting he is clinically healed and rebuilding confidence and conditioning.
- The coaching staff views Neymar as a special case whose inclusion hinges on physical readiness rather than technical evaluation.
- Carlo Ancelotti will release a pre-list on March 6 for friendlies against France and Croatia, with the final roster due March 16, and Neymar could appear only provisionally.
- Since returning from meniscus surgery, Neymar has played three matches for Santos, last appeared for Brazil in October 2023, and faces another fitness gauge on March 10 against Mirassol.