Brazil FW Neymar has been officially ruled out of Brazil's second World Cup match against Haiti at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday evening at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer suffered a calf injury during a Santos match on May 17. The 34-year-old returned to full training on Wednesday for the first time but was deemed unable to play as he continues to build his fitness.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti could have used Neymar in Brazil's opening 1-1 draw against Morocco. Starting CF Igor Thiago struggled to pose a true threat in the center of the pitch in his World Cup debut last week. Had he been fit, Neymar would likely have started as the CF alongside Vinícius Jr., Raphinha, and Luiz Henrique.
Below, we'll break down the latest Neymar injury update for Friday, how long Neymar will be out, and what World Cup picks to potentially target on PrizePicks with Neymar out.
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Neymar Injury Update: Is Neymar Playing Today vs. Haiti in World Cup?
Neymar suffered a grade two calf strain during Santos' Brasileirão Betano match against Coritiba on May 17. With every game Neymar misses, Ancelotti's decision to include him in the squad is drawing increased criticism.
Brazil supporters are hoping his return to group training signals he could be available as early as Matchday 3 against Scotland, a potentially group-clinching fixture.
Should he return during the group stage, Ancelotti will likely look to work Brazil's all-time top scorer into the starting lineup. The 34-year-old has a strong World Cup record, scoring 8 goals and providing 3 assists in 13 appearances across three tournaments. His versatility gives Ancelotti the option of deploying him anywhere across the front three or slightly deeper as an attacking midfielder.
Even without Neymar, Brazil remains the overwhelming favorite for Friday's match against Haiti. PrizePicks Team Picks has Brazil at a 92% implied win probability, with a 1.08x payout if they win.
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How Long is Neymar Out for Brazil?
With Neymar back in group training, a return to action appears to be getting closer. Neymar will not travel to Philadelphia for Friday's match, continuing his rehabilitation at Brazil's base in New Jersey.
Reports suggesting Neymar could miss the group stage entirely are looking increasingly unlikely. That said, if he does feature in the group stage, he is unlikely to start or play significant minutes in his first appearance back. That leaves Ancelotti with little time to assess how Neymar integrates with the rest of the squad before the knockout rounds.
Neymar has not featured for Brazil since 2023.
What Brazil Players to Target for PrizePicks with Neymar Out?
Even without Neymar, Brazil boasts a dangerous attack, led by Vinícius Jr. — their lone scorer against Morocco — and Raphinha, who shifted into the attacking midfield role in the opener. With Thiago's debut not going to plan, Ancelotti is expected to modify his starting XI on Friday.
Matheus Cunha will likely start up front after coming off the bench for just 29 minutes in the opener. The Manchester United striker had just 19 touches in that cameo but should see far more involvement as a starter.
Here are Brazil’s players who may benefit most statistically on PrizePicks with Neymar out vs. Haiti today, plus their World Cup stat projections for Friday.
- MF Raphinha — 3.5 Shots / 3.5 Attempted Dribbles / 5.5 Crosses
- FW Vinicius Jr. — 2 Shots on Target / 6.5 Attempted Dribbles / 0.5 Goals (Goblin)
- FW Matheus Cunha — 2.5 Shots / 1.5 Goals + Assist (Demon) / 0.5 Shots on Target (Goblin)
Cunha is the most likely beneficiary of Neymar's absence, with the 27-year-old set to make his first World Cup start tonight. Many expected Cunha to start against Morocco, so it came as a surprise when Ancelotti opted for the 24-year-old Thiago in such an important match.
Cunha doesn't carry the same pedigree or experience as Neymar, but he is a capable option to complement the team's other stars. The Premier League forward could be in for a lively debut start against a Haiti side playing just their second-ever World Cup match.
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Make Brazil vs. Haiti Picks on PrizePicks
Neymar is out, Cunha is likely set to start, and Brazil’s second World Cup match is just hours away.
Filling Neymar's shoes won't be easy, but Brazil has managed without him over the past few years and should still have more than enough quality to handle Haiti this evening.
Don't wait until lock — make your Brazil vs. Haiti picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you're right.
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