The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has denied recent reports suggesting that star forward Neymar would return to the national team for the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. According to a statement released on June 15, 2024, Neymar is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee, sustained in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
The denial comes after a Brazilian newspaper, O Globo, reported on June 14 that Neymar had accelerated his rehabilitation and could be available for the tournament's opening matches. However, the CBF clarified that no official medical clearance has been given, and Neymar's return remains uncertain for the competition, which runs from June 20 to July 14, 2024, in the United States.
Neymar, 32, underwent surgery in November 2023 and has been undergoing physiotherapy at the club's training center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Brazil's national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, stated that the player's recovery is progressing as expected but emphasized that a return to competitive play before the end of July is unlikely.
The CBF's statement also noted that head coach Dorival Júnior has not included Neymar in the preliminary squad for the Copa América, which was announced on May 10, 2024. Brazil is set to begin their campaign against Costa Rica on June 24 in Los Angeles.
