Was Neymar worth the risk?

 

OLIVER KAY 

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) issued a statement on Thursday saying Neymar had not travelled to Philadelphia for their game against Haiti on Saturday. Instead, the CBF said, the 34-year-old “will remain in New Jersey to optimize the final phase of his recovery process”.

Neymar is highly unlikely to be fit before the knockout stage due to a lingering calf problem that has raised questions about head coach Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to recall him to the squad, almost three years since his last international appearance.

There are obvious differences between the situations — Pulisic hoping to be involved against Australia today, Neymar unavailable for another week at least — but in both cases it has brought a sense of melodrama. Pochettino and Ancelotti might feel the media and public fixation on an injured player has some kind of positive effect, diverting some of the intensity away from the team’s preparations ahead of a big game. Alternatively, they might feel it causes a headache.

Ancelotti’s decision to call up Neymar was a surprise after another season punctuated by injuries. If it was a calculated risk, then the calculation has to be based on an assumption that the Santos forward can make a big impact in the knockout round.

A player of Neymar’s supreme talent is always capable of producing a moment of brilliance, even when nothing like 100 per cent fit. But if he is unable to play in the group stage, then it might be touch-and-go in the knockout stage, too.

It looks like a risk, even after a flurry of goals for Santos brought a clamour for his inclusion. The thought of Neymar returning to inspire the selecao after a horrible run of injuries — like the great Brazilian forward Ronaldo did in 2002 — is an appealing one, but it looks increasingly like a long shot.

THE NEW YORK TIMES