Medical scans found Neymar had a calf strain, disrupting Brazil’s World Cup preparations and triggering intense media scrutiny over his selection. Carlo Ancelotti rejected any late squad replacement and said Neymar would play in the group stage. Ancelotti expects Neymar to be fit for the opener against Morocco on June 13, and if not, for the second match against Haiti. He also clarified that his earlier March comments about selecting only fully fit players did not preclude calling up someone not 100% at the time but capable of reaching full fitness by the World Cup.
"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]."
"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.""
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