Due to an ankle injury, Brazil’s star forward Neymar will miss the team’s final two World Cup group stage games against Switzerland and Cameroon.
Because of this injury, Neymar will not be able to play in any more group stage games at the World Cup.
The Selecao got off to a great start in Group G with a 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday. Richarlison, a forward for Tottenham, scored twice, one of which was an impressive bicycle kick, to give Tite’s team a winning start after it appeared they would be defeated.
Despite the final score, there were concerning scenes as Neymar was taken out of the game in the 80th minute after a violent collision with Nikola Milenkovic. Photos of the Paris Saint-Germain player’s swollen ankle and his emotional breakdown on the bench began making the rounds on social media after the game.
While Juventus defender Danilo finished the game despite the injury, Neymar was forced to leave the field with ten minutes left due to an ankle injury sustained during the second half of their match against the European side.
In order to get healthy in time for the playoff games, both players will miss the next two matches for the South American powerhouses.
Brazil’s next group stage match is on Monday against Switzerland, and their final match is on Friday against Cameroon. Brazil are still heavy favorites to advance as group winners, especially following their opening day victory despite the absence of two key players.
But the news will worry Brazilians and bring back memories of the 2014 World Cup, when their star player Neymar was injured in the quarterfinal victory over Colombia and had to miss the rest of the tournament due to a recurring foot problem, including the humiliating 7- 1 loss to Germany in the semifinals.
Brazil coach Tite had tried to calm nerves about Neymar’s participation in the World Cup by saying, “Don’t worry, Neymar will play in the World Cup,” after Thursday night’s match.
It’s guaranteed that he’ll keep playing the guitar. “I didn’t see Neymar was injured — the capacity he has to overcome it tricked even me,” Tite said.