Vampeta criticizes Neymar's World Cup call-up: 'It takes away a dream'

Former Brazil midfielder Vampeta has heavily criticized the decision to include Neymar in the 2026 World Cup squad. The veteran star stated that the forward is not physically prepared to compete in the tournament due to a grade two tear in his right calf.

Neymar has been sidelined since May 17, when he sustained the injury while playing for Santos. Vampeta emphasized that the required recovery time and subsequent physical transition make it impossible for the player to be match-fit for the early stages of the competition.

Neymar played his last match on May 17. The World Cup is intense, and many teams go home in the first 16 days. In this period, Neymar has no chance of playing due to the nature of his calf injury. Vampeta

The situation puts significant pressure on the Brazilian national team, which is already dealing with a challenging start to the tournament. The forward has missed recent training sessions under manager Carlo Ancelotti, indicating he is unlikely to feature in the upcoming match against Haiti. Following a draw with Morocco in their opening game, Brazil is under pressure to secure results in Group C.