Neymar’s hopes of leading Brazil at the 2026 World Cup have been thrown into doubt after confirmation that the forward has suffered a grade two muscle injury in his right calf, just three weeks before the tournament begins.

The Brazilian superstar picked up the injury ahead of Brazil’s opening match against Morocco at MetLife Stadium on the 13th of June, leaving fans concerned over whether he’ll be fit in time for the competition, with the injury carrying a 2-3 week recovery time.

Despite the setback, the Brazilian Football Confederation isn’t considering Neymar’s removal from the squad for the time being. Instead, the plan for the 33-year-old is to undergo treatment over the coming days before another scan takes place on the 12th of June in New Jersey.

FIFA regulations allow teams to replace injured players up to 24 hours before their opening fixture, meaning Brazil technically has until the day of the scan to make a final decision on Neymar’s availability.

Neymar Facing Race Against Time for the World Cup

Under FIFA rules, any replacement must first be approved by the organisation’s medical committee, with federations required to provide evidence that a player is unable to take part in the tournament (per ESPN Brazil).

That leaves Brazil with a difficult balancing act. If Neymar isn’t fit, but remains in the squad beyond the deadline, the Selecao risk carrying a player who isn’t capable of contributing during the World Cup at all.

The situation is particularly worrying given Neymar’s history with injuries during major tournaments. He’s not featured for Brazil since 2023 and has spent time out injured in two of the last three World Cups.

Even if he recovers in time to stay in the squad, there’s no guarantee Neymar will be able to perform at his usual level straight away, if at all.

Who Could Replace Neymar in Brazil’s Squad?

Should Brazil decide they can’t risk taking Neymar, any replacement would need to come from the provisional 55-man squad already submitted to FIFA.

Several attacking options are available to manager Carlo Ancelotti, including Premier League quartet Gabriel Jesus, Igor Jesus, Joao Pedro and Richarlison. Former Manchester United winger Antony is also part of the men ready to step in, alongside Kaio Jorge, Pedro, and Samuel Lino, who play in the Brazilian Serie A.

Gabriel Jesus possesses World Cup experience and versatility across the front line, while Richarlison has previously delivered for Brazil on the international stage, particularly during the 2022 World Cup, where he won the Goal of the Tournament.

Joao Pedro could also be an intriguing option after impressing in the Premier League and the Club World Cup in his first season for Chelsea. His omission from the Brazil squad came as a surprise to everyone, with most feeling as though he was guaranteed to make the squad before Ancelotti’s announcement 10 days ago.

As it stands, Brazil remain hopeful Neymar will recover in time, but with the deadline fast approaching, the pressure is growing ahead of the World Cup, and there’s a host of fine players ready to step up in his place.

Tottenham Hotspur are hopeful of sealing a deal to sign Manchester City star Savinho this summer, and he wants to join to play under Roberto De Zerbi, according to Football Insider.

Spurs avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, and the club have already agreed two deals to strengthen the squad this summer, with Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi expected to join on a free transfer from Liverpool and Bournemouth, respectively.

But the club are also keen to bolster their forward options heading into the new season to ensure they’re not facing the same predicament again, and the Brazilian has emerged as a target.

Savinho Wants to Sign for Tottenham

Savinho, who has been described as ‘extraordinary’, has struggled to make himself a regular in the Man City team since arriving from Troyes in 2024, and is now understood to be ready to move away in order to play more regularly.

Spurs were keen to sign the 22-year-old last summer, but City pushed to keep him as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, and convinced him to sign a new long-term contract once the transfer window closed. However, he still managed just 821 minutes of Premier League action this season, and a move away now looks likely.

It’s understood that Savinho is very open to a move to Tottenham this summer, and the prospect of playing under De Zerbi is believed to be a big factor in his thinking.

Enzo Maresca is set to take over at Man City this summer, and it remains to be seen if he views the Brazil international as part of his plans. But with Guardiola gone, it’s believed that one of the biggest hurdles for the deal last year has now been removed.

Savinho is ready to push on his end to make a deal happen as he looks to play more regularly, and Spurs are ready to do what they can to add him to their squad.

Savinho Could Be Ideal De Zerbi Winger

This season, De Zerbi had to make do with limited attacking options due to injuries and stylistic clashes, but he managed to avoid the drop. Now, he will be fully backed in the window, and forwards are likely to be a priority.

Richarlison looks likely to be on the move, while Xavi Simons will be sidelined until 2027 after rupturing his ACL last month. There are also question marks over the long-term fitness of Dejan Kulusevski, and the future of Mathys Tel.

So bringing in a forward like Savinho, who loves to run at opponents and has a lethal left foot, could be the perfect addition for Spurs as they look to get back to being one of the top clubs in the division.

Not long ago, Barcelona were struggling to register their own signings. Last summer, Marcus Rashford had to wait before he could officially become a Barcelona player, held up by La Liga’s strict salary limits at a club that, despite being arguably the biggest in the world, had spent years wrestling with a financial crisis of their own making.

The contrast with what’s happening now couldn’t be more different.

Before the summer transfer window has even officially opened, Barcelona have agreed a deal in principle to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for £70 million, plus bonuses. The England winger arrived in Barcelona today to undergo a medical ahead of jetting off to represent his country at the World Cup, with his wages set to double to around £300,000 per week.

It’s also emerged that Barca are preparing a straight cash bid in the region of €100 million for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. The former Manchester City striker is being lined up as a replacement for the departing Robert Lewandowski.

That’s over £150 million committed before a ball has been kicked in the new season. So how does something like this happen so soon? How has a club that could barely register players 12 months ago suddenly found itself operating with this level of financial freedom?

La Liga’s 1:1 Rule and Why it Works in Barcelona’s Favour

The answer lies in La Liga’s 1:1 financial framework, which dictates that every euro a club generates through player sales or wage reductions can be reinvested into new signings. For several years, Barcelona were firmly on the wrong side of this rule. Now, they’ve finally tipped back into positive territory.

A major factor is the departure of Lewandowski, which is reported to have freed up around €40 million from the wage structure alone. Add to that the revenue streams that come with the club’s return to the Spotify Camp Nou, and the board appear confident that their financial difficulties are firmly in the past, and they’re ready to spend as freely as they wish.

Four Targets, One Ambitious Summer for Barcelona

Gordon and Alvarez are just the beginning. Barcelona are reportedly planning four major moves this summer, with ambitions that recall the £316 million spent in the 2017/18 window, four years before their financial issues led to the departure of Lionel Messi, when Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele were signed.

Rashford, despite Gordon’s arrival, is expected to remain at the club, with discussions over a permanent deal set to continue in the summer. Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo, who was on loan at the Camp Nou last season, is also expected to sign permanently. And a deal for his fellow countryman Bernardo Silva, who leaves Man City as a free agent this summer, is believed to be 90% done, meaning three former City players could line up for Barcelona next season.

Finally, a new centre-back is understood to be high on the agenda, though the identity of that target may depend on whether Jules Kounde departs over the summer. If he does, attention could switch to a new full-back instead, with Denzel Dumfries reportedly among the options being considered, who has reportedly been offered to clubs for just £21 million.