Neymar will miss Brazil’s second match against Haiti after the Brazilian football star was ruled out due to injury, dealing a fresh blow to the South American giants ahead of their Copa America campaign.
The Al-Hilal forward, who has battled fitness issues for the better part of two years, will not feature when Brazil face Haiti in their second meeting. The decision was confirmed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Monday following a medical assessment of the 32-year-old.
Brazil head coach Dorival Junior confirmed the news at a pre-match press conference. “We assessed Neymar’s condition and decided not to risk him. His health comes first, and we want him at full strength when the time is right,” Dorival said.
Neymar has had a brutal run with injuries in recent times. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while playing for Brazil in October 2023 and spent nearly a full year on the sidelines. His return to action with Al-Hilal was slow and frustrating, marked by further muscular setbacks that kept him in and out of the treatment room.
The news will sting Brazilian fans who had hoped to see their most famous son back on the pitch. Neymar’s absence in Brazil’s second match against Haiti removes a major draw from the fixture, both for supporters inside the stadium and millions watching across the country.
Brazil won their first encounter against Haiti convincingly, with goals from Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo giving the Seleção a comfortable margin. But the pressure is on the coaching staff to keep that form going without their talisman available.
Neymar did travel with the squad and has been present at training sessions in a limited capacity. CBF medical staff have maintained a cautious approach to his recovery, unwilling to put him on the pitch before he is completely fit. Sources close to the camp say the priority is protecting him for the later and more demanding rounds of the tournament.
Vinicius Jr. is expected to lead the attack once again against Haiti. The Real Madrid winger has stepped up convincingly in Neymar’s long absence and has grown into the role of Brazil’s primary attacking threat. Raphinha and Rodrygo will also be expected to carry the creative load.
For Haiti, the news of Neymar missing the second match could offer some psychological relief. Facing Brazil is already an enormous challenge for the Caribbean side, and not having to deal with one of football’s most creative players reduces at least one threat.
Haiti coach Marc Collat has urged his players not to be distracted by the opposition’s injury situation. “We prepare for Brazil, not for one player. We respect them all,” Collat said at his own press briefing on Sunday.
Neymar’s situation continues to divide opinion in Brazil. Some fans and pundits believe his best days are behind him and that the squad has moved on. Others insist that when fully fit, he still has the ability to change a match in ways no other Brazilian player can.
What is clear is that his absence from Brazil’s second match against Haiti will be felt. The CBF has not given a timeline for when he might return to first-team action during the tournament.
All eyes now turn to Dorival Junior to see whether his side can maintain momentum without Neymar on the pitch.
