The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed that Neymar will be sidelined for two to three weeks due to a grade-two calf strain, ruling him out of upcoming friendlies and likely the World Cup opener.

CBF doctor Rodrigo Lasmar announced on Thursday that an MRI revealed a partial tear of muscle fibers, contradicting earlier reports from Santos club doctor Rodrigo Zogaib, who had said it was only swelling.

Neymar joined the squad on Tuesday but missed Wednesday's training session and was sent for imaging tests after complaining of swelling in his right calf.

He will miss Sunday's friendly against Panama at the Maracana and the subsequent match against Egypt in Cleveland. He is also expected to be unavailable for Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco on June 13 in New Jersey.

Brazil are in Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had previously stated that Neymar would receive no special treatment and that his place would be based solely on fitness and form.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, has struggled with injuries and an underwhelming return to Santos in recent years.

Source: www.aljazeera.com