Brazil x Haiti: Ancelotti had already assembled the team without thinking about Neymar

The decision to keep Neymar in New Jersey during the Brazilian team's trip to Philadelphia was taken out of caution. According to CBF sources interviewed by CNN, Carlo Ancelotti had already planned the team for the clash against Haiti without considering Neymar among the available options.

As determined, the internal assessment is that moving the attacker at this moment would represent unnecessary wear and tear in a phase considered decisive in the recovery from the injury to his right calf.

"Unnecessary wear and tear. The trip would interfere with at least two days of physiotherapy," a source from the organization told CNN.

For this reason, Neymar will remain using the facilities at The Ridge hotel and CT Columbia Park, where he follows the schedule established by the Seleção's medical department. Behind the scenes, the coaching staff adopts a conservative stance regarding the return of number 10.

The concern goes beyond this Friday's match. Members of the organization interviewed by CNN state that there is fear of a worsening of the condition or even a new injury if the player returns to the field before the moment considered ideal.

"The team will only release Neymar when they are sure of improvement", said a source.

Although the striker was present in activities on the field this week, Neymar continues to carry out activities separately from the rest of the squad and continues to be monitored daily by the Seleção's medical department.

"It's still going to start, especially because Dr. Lasmar's deadline ends today. He has increased his training, but continues physiotherapy normally", added another CBF source.

Internally, the assessment is that the period of approximately three weeks foreseen for recovery from the injury must be fully respected. The priority of the coaching staff and doctors is to ensure that the player is fully recovered before being considered again.

Exam already pointed to uncertainty back against Scotland
The scenario reinforces the investigation published by CNN on Tuesday (16), when CBF sources already indicated that Neymar "was no longer in doubt against Haiti, but also against Scotland". The internal assessment was that the time needed between complete recovery from the injury and the physical transition was becoming shorter and shorter for safe use even in the group stage.

In the coming days, the attacker must repeat the imaging tests so that the medical committee can monitor the evolution of the injury. Until then, he will continue performing physical therapy and specific physical work in New Jersey. The CBF's guidance remains the same: only release Neymar when there is complete certainty about his recovery and without risk of worsening the condition or causing a new injury.

Selection: Ancelotti rules out cutting Neymar for World Cup

Source: CNN