Despite Rafinha’s strike, Ancelotti has good news for Brazilian fans

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that his star Neymar da Silva is fit for next Wednesday’s crucial game against Scotland after missing the matches against Morocco and Haiti with a right calf injury, while the Seleção suffered an injury to Rafinha in the 3-0 win over Haiti.

Ancelotti said at the press conference after the match. “Neymar will train individually today, Saturday, then he will join the team on Monday and be ready for the match against Scotland.”

The No. 10 did not travel with the Brazilian delegation to Philadelphia, the host city for the Haiti match, but remained in New Jersey to continue his recovery from an injury that has sidelined him since May 17 when he suffered calf swelling against Santos.

Medical reports have confirmed that the injury will require Neymar to be out of training for up to 3 weeks, causing major concerns in the Brazil camp about his fitness for the World Cup.

But the good news about Neymar’s return was dealt a painful blow by the injury of Rafinha, who had to leave the field due to a thigh injury in the first half. He was attended to by medical staff on the pitch and looked very affected and was seen receiving words of encouragement from his team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes.

Brazil bounced back from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco in their opening game with a crushing 3-0 win over Haiti to become the first team to be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.