Brazil star Neymar faces World Cup absence as calf injury recovery stalls

Concerns are mounting over Brazilian football superstar Neymar's availability for the upcoming World Cup as his recovery from a calf injury continues to face setbacks. The star player is currently with the Brazilian national team at their training base in New Jersey, USA.

Neymar underwent new, detailed medical examinations on Monday (local time) to monitor the progress of his Grade 2 right calf injury. Following these tests, he participated in gym exercises as part of his rehabilitation program. However, his recovery appears to be slower than anticipated, casting doubt on his ability to rejoin team training sessions soon.

The delay in his recovery means Neymar is unlikely to feature in Brazil's second group stage match of the tournament. This situation leaves the team facing the prospect of competing without one of their key offensive players, potentially impacting their performance in the crucial early stages of the World Cup.

Further updates on his condition are expected as he continues his rehabilitation process. The team and fans alike are anxiously awaiting news on whether the star forward can recover in time to contribute to Brazil's World Cup campaign.