Neymar took his first, carefully measured steps onto the training pitch at Columbia Park in New Jersey on Tuesday, offering Brazil’s anxious supporters a flicker of optimism after a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign. The 34-year-old, sidelined by a grade-two strain in his right calf sustained in May while playing for Santos, had not joined a field session since the squad assembled in the United States. Footage released by the Brazilian Football Confederation showed him jogging in trainers before switching to boots for light ball work and individual drills, still apart from the main group. Medical staff have stressed that this marks only the beginning of a gradual reconditioning process, and Brazilian media widely report that his involvement in Friday’s Group C fixture against Haiti is all but ruled out.

Brazil’s need for their talisman has been sharpened by a disjointed 1-1 draw with Morocco in the opener, a performance that drew sharp criticism from commentators in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Carlo Ancelotti’s side lacked cutting edge in the final third, and the absence of Neymar—who has not represented his country since October 2023—has become a defining narrative of their tournament. The pressure to secure a first victory against Haiti, a nation returning to the World Cup after a 50-year absence and grappling with profound political crisis, is immense. Defender Douglas Santos, speaking at a press conference, cautioned against “soberbia” (arrogance) and revealed that the squad is “praying for Neymar’s recovery,” describing him as an idol for the entire dressing room. Viewed from Madrid, the appointment of Spanish referee Alejandro Hernández for the Haiti match adds a subplot: he officiated the Barcelona-Real Madrid clash in May that pitted Vinícius Júnior against Raphinha, two of Brazil’s current attacking options.

Away from the training ground, Neymar’s personal life has generated headlines of its own. On Monday, he and partner Bruna Biancardi announced they are expecting their third child together—a girl, and Neymar’s fifth overall. A gender-reveal video posted online showed the couple, blindfolded and dressed in white, being showered with pink powder as their children looked on. The player joked about forming a “Spice Girls” group, later updating the reference to K-pop, a nod to a Netflix film he had mentioned weeks earlier. The news, while joyful, has prompted debate in Brazilian media about the forward’s focus during a critical rehabilitation period, with some analysts arguing that the prolonged uncertainty over his fitness has turned him from an asset into a distraction.

Looking ahead, the Seleção’s medical and technical staff are working towards a possible return against Scotland on 24 June, when Neymar might feature for a controlled cameo. The cautious timeline reflects both the nature of the muscle tear and the lessons of past tournaments, where rushing key players back has backfired. For now, Ancelotti must reshape an attack that has yet to convince, with young Endrick publicly expressing frustration at his lack of minutes and the team’s overall offensive output under scrutiny. As the group stage enters its decisive phase, Brazil’s fortunes remain delicately poised between the promise of their recovering superstar and the immediate demand for results on the pitch.