Neymar will miss Brazil’s second World Cup match but will remain with the squad undergoing treatment for his ankle injury, the team doctor said Friday.
Rodrigo Lasmar said tests conducted on his right ankle
showed that Neymar has a ligament injury and will not be fit to play against
Switzerland on Monday.
“It’s important to remain calm, an evaluation will be
conducted daily so we can have more information and take the most appropriate
decisions,” Lasmar said, adding that “the goal is to have him recover” in time
to still play in the tournament.
Lasmar did not give a timetable for Neymar’s recovery. He
said the situation of defender Danilo, who has a left ankle injury, was similar
to Neymar’s and he would also miss the game against Switzerland.
Neymar was receiving treatment at the team’s hotel Friday
after getting injured in the 2-0 win against Serbia in Brazil’s opener.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker sprained his ankle in the
second half of a bruising match against Serbia on Thursday. He was in tears
while sitting on the bench with ice around his ankle and limped off the field
on his way to the locker room.
“Difficult game, but it was important to win,” Neymar said
on his social media accounts not long after he left Lusail Stadium without
talking to the media. “Congratulations team, first step taken. Six more to go.”
In an Instagram story after the match, Neymar posted a text
that mentioned the need to “have faith.”
“It’s about believing that everything will be OK despite the
chaos. It’s the certainty that the best is yet to come. It’s understanding that
everything has its own timing,” the text said.
Brazil coach Tite had already expressed optimism about
Neymar’s condition.
“You can be sure that Neymar will still play in this World
Cup,” he said after the match. “I’m certain about that.”
Neymar was substituted in the 79th minute, about 10 minutes
after hurting his ankle while being tackled by Serbia defender Nikola Milenković.
Neymar had already been tackled many times before during the
match, and was seen grimacing and limping a few other occasions. He was fouled
nine times, the most of all World Cup players after the first round of matches
in the group stage.
“We’ll remain upbeat, it’s the characteristic of this team,”
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson said. “These adverse circumstances will only make the
group stronger.”
The five-time world champions end their group-stage campaign
against Cameroon on Dec. 2. Brazil leads Group G along with Switzerland, which
opened with a win against Cameroon.
If Neymar can’t play, his replacement would likely be
Rodrygo, who came in as a second-half substitute against Serbia on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Neymar was also hurt at the 2014 World Cup
in Brazil, when his tournament ended with a back injury in the quarterfinals
against Colombia. He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher, and Brazil
ended up losing to Germany 7-1 in the semifinals.
Neymar’s right foot has caused him problems in the past,
being among the series of injuries he suffered since the 2018 World Cup in
Russia. Another right ankle sprain led him to miss the 2019 Copa América that
Brazil won.
Neymar has yet to win a major title with the national team.
He helped the “Seleção” win the 2013 Confederations Cup and its first Olympic
gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games.
With 75 goals for the national team, he is two shy of Pelé’s
scoring record.
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