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Brazil talisman Neymar will miss at least the Switzerland match at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar after twisting his ankle in the 2-0 Group G win over Serbia on Thursday.
Tite’s South American’s launched their quest to win their first title in 20 years through Richarlison’s second half double, but the celebrations were soured slightly by Neymar being forced off 10 minutes from time. The Paris Saint-Germain man is expected to miss at least the Swiss clash while his involvement against Cameroon in the final group game could depend on the result against the Nati.
Neymar was in tears on the Brazil bench after coming off and suffered nine fouls during the game as Serbia targeted him with Nikola Milenkovic’s hard challenge forcing him off. The Brazilian medical staff immediately iced his injury and Neymar was limping towards the locker room later at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
“He stayed for the two goals we scored even feeling his ankle injury because the team needed him,” said Tite after the game. “In both goals he was already feeling it and it showed his ability to overcome pain. You can be sure that Neymar will play the World Cup. I am sure about that.”
“The scans showed a lateral ligament injury on Neymar’s right ankle, along with a small bone swelling,” said Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. “A medial ligament injury for Danilo’s left ankle. Players remain in treatment. It is very important to be very calm, peaceful. This assessment will be carried out daily so that we have information and make the best decisions based on it. We can already say that we will not have the two players for the next game, but they remain in treatment with our goal of trying to recover in time for this competition.
“Neymar and Danilo started treatment immediately after our game. This morning they were reassessed, as we had already advanced in yesterday’s interview. Through today’s clinical evaluation, we think it’s important to do an image exam, an MRI to have more data on the evolution of the two players.”
With one win already in the bag, Brazil will be thinking ahead to the latter stages and risking Neymar unless necessary could harm his chances of featuring and contributing later on. Neymar posted a message via his Twitter account later without making any reference to his fitness: “Tough game but it was very important to get the win. Congrats team, first step done…6 more to go.”