Yesterday, information released by the CBF, the Brazilian Football Confederation, revealed that Neymar has suffered a grade-two injury and, unless he is removed from the squad, he will miss at least one match: the opening game against Morocco. My point is not really about the injury itself, but about the lack of information Santos provided to the CBF and what that could mean moving forward.
Neymar got injured during a match a day, or close to a day, before the final World Cup squad announcement. At the time, it was described as something minor, just an oedema. But days later, yesterday, when Neymar arrived at the national team camp, it apparently took only a few hours to realise it was actually a muscular injury. That raises obvious questions: are Santos’ medical staff unable to properly assess a player’s condition, or did they present it as less serious to help ensure Neymar would be called up? I do not want to question anyone’s ethics directly, but there are too many signs pointing towards that possibility.
As things stand, Neymar was probably not going to be a starter anyway, but physically he at least looked capable of finishing more matches than before, even if his technical performances for Santos had not been particularly convincing. But now? He has to be replaced. He has to leave the squad, because enough is enough.
“He’s special.” Yes, he is. But right now he is not delivering consistently, even technically, for Santos. Not even against weaker opposition. So imagine expecting him to make a major impact at a World Cup, especially coming off the bench.
He should step aside because he is taking a place that could go to someone who can genuinely contribute. Up to now, Neymar’s call-up has brought media attention, controversy and endless debate, while taking focus away from the actual issues within the squad, such as the concerns at full-back. Everything becomes Neymar this, Neymar that.
Ancelotti said he wanted players who were fully fit. Neymar was called up despite not even looking close to 100%, and a lot of that felt driven by external pressure to have him there regardless of circumstances. And now Brazil finds itself exactly where many expected. Congratulations to everyone who wanted Neymar included without considering the context or his current condition. This outcome was always a possibility, injury or not.
Conclusion
Neymar should never have been called up and, now that he is injured, he has to be replaced. There is no real justification left. Brazil are already not among the top favourites for the World Cup, yet they continue trying to force the presence of a player in these conditions. He will remain the centre of attention whether he plays, sits on the bench or comes on as a substitute. And in the end, he is unlikely to add much to the team at all.