Neymar compared to Rocky Balboa as he trains for World Cup return

Brazil's star forward is grinding through gym sessions while recovering from a calf strain, with his sights set on the June 19 opener against Haiti.

Share

Add us on Google by Editorial Team Jun. 10, 2026

Somewhere inside Brazil’s US training camp, Neymar is apparently channeling his inner Sylvester Stallone. Staff and observers around the squad have started comparing the forward’s intense gym sessions to Rocky Balboa’s iconic training montages.

The training camp grind

Neymar is currently working exclusively on strength and cardio inside the gym while the rest of the Brazilian squad prepares on the pitch. He has not yet returned to full-field activities, a precaution linked to a calf strain he suffered before the tournament.

Advertisement

As of late May, recovery was reportedly on track. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed optimism that Neymar could feature in Brazil’s opening Group C match against Haiti on June 19 in Philadelphia, and potentially even sooner if the rehabilitation continues at its current pace.

Brazil’s World Cup path and what Neymar means to it

Brazil’s Group C schedule includes the Haiti opener on June 19, followed by matches against Morocco and Scotland in their remaining group stage fixtures. The compressed schedule leading up to the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, has made fitness management a central theme of Brazil’s pre-tournament camp in the United States.

Ancelotti’s squad is built with Neymar as a focal point of their attacking strategy. Brazil hasn’t won a World Cup since 2002, and Neymar’s health has been a contributing factor to the team falling short more than once.

For investors in the broader sports media and betting ecosystem, Neymar’s availability is one of those variables that can meaningfully shift odds and viewership projections for Brazil’s matches. A healthy Neymar playing in Philadelphia on June 19 is a different product than a Brazil team managing without him.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.