Brazil forward Neymar has taken a major step in his recovery after returning to training for the first time at the World Cup on Tuesday, following a right calf injury sustained in late May.
The 34-year-old, who has been undergoing rehabilitation since Brazil arrived in the United States, was seen running at the team’s training base in New Jersey as he continues his gradual return to full fitness.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, has not yet re-joined full team training and remains in a recovery phase after missing Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw against Morocco on Saturday.
The forward has been a central figure in Brazil’s recent World Cup campaigns, but his participation in this tournament came as a surprise to some observers due to a series of injury setbacks that have limited his playing time since 2023.
At club level, Neymar has also struggled with fitness, featuring in only half of his team’s matches this season across domestic league, cup competitions, and the Copa Sudamericana.
Despite the concerns, his presence at training has raised hopes within the Brazilian camp that he could still play a role later in the tournament if his recovery continues on schedule.
Brazil are set to face Haiti in Philadelphia on Friday in their next Group C fixture. They will then conclude their group-stage campaign against Scotland in Miami on 24 June.
Team officials continue to monitor his condition closely, with decisions on his return to competitive action expected to depend on his progress in the coming days.
