ไทย
English
中國人
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he anticipates giving winger Neymar extended playing time in the nation's World Cup last-32 clash with Japan on Monday.
A calf problem sustained just before linking up with the Brazil squad kept Neymar out of the team's opening two matches this summer, though he was healthy enough to come off the bench for 14 minutes in Brazil's final group stage fixture against Scotland.
Brazil's next challenge is a demanding encounter against Japan on Monday, where Neymar could be in line for a more prominent part.
"Over the past week, his improvement has been considerable," Ancelotti stated. "It's unfortunate he couldn't train with us for the entire duration of his time here, but he can clearly play more than 15 minutes [against Japan]. It all depends on the situation and how the match unfolds."
Will Neymar Start for Brazil Against Japan?
Ancelotti's closing remarks regarding Neymar's fitness appear to have hinted at his role for Brazil in Monday's fixture.
With the manager keeping an eye on "how the match unfolds," it seems Ancelotti intends to keep Neymar among the substitutes, potentially introducing the 34-year-old in the second half should Brazil require his creativity and influence in the attacking third.
Ancelotti is sensible to exercise caution with Neymar's return to action. This most recent setback was not especially severe—he was absent for just over a month—but such occurrences have become a recurring pattern for Neymar since he missed nearly an entire season with a serious knee injury back in 2023.
Since returning from that knee problem in October 2024, Neymar has endured no fewer than seven separate injuries, the overwhelming majority of which have kept him on the sidelines for a comparable spell to his latest calf issue.