Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti says he expects Neymar to be fit for the World Cup opener despite his calf injury.
The Santos playmaker threw the Seleção’s tournament preparations into chaos this week after medical scans revealed a calf strain.
The timing of the diagnosis sparked immense fury across the Brazilian media, with heavy scrutiny falling on why a player carrying a muscle tear was given one of the coveted spots on the plane.
But Ancelotti shut down any talk of a late squad replacement and says the 34-year-old will feature in the group stage.
Ancelotti stated: “To be clear, Neymar will be with us. We believe he can recover in time for the first match [against Morocco on June 13], and if not, then for the second one [against Haiti].”
Ancelotti faced some intense, uncomfortable questioning about a perceived contradiction in his selection policy.
Critics were quick to point out that Ancelotti had previously drawn a strict line in the sand, publicly stating he would only pick players who were completely over their respective fitness hurdles.
Faced with his own past comments, the veteran manager clarified his stance, admitting his explanation could have been sharper.
Ancelotti explained: “I spoke about everyone being 100% physically in March, but I perhaps didn’t explain very well that I could call up a player who wasn’t 100% at the time, but who could be 100% at the World Cup.
“Neymar was selected because he had to be selected.”