The Brazil national team have suffered a setback following confirmation that star player Neymar is set to miss all remaining FIFA World Cup Group stage matches.
Neymar sustained an ankle injury after a heavy challenge during their 2-0 win against Serbia on Thursday. He was taken off while in tears in the 80th minute of the match.
NEYMAR AND DANILO SETBACK
The Brazilian FA announced on Friday that the PSG forward and Danilo would miss the matches against Switzerland and Cameroon.
“Neymar and Danilo went through an MRI on Friday afternoon, and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them,” Team Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told reporters.
“They will miss the next game for sure. We will be cautious as they will undergo treatment to try to undergo treatment again in the World Cup.”
“The tests showed a lateral ligament injury on Neymar’s right ankle, along with a small bone edema. A medial ligament injury on Danilo’s ankle. The players are still undergoing treatment,” he said.
INJURY HISTORY
The 30-year-old has encountered issues with his right foot and ankle for several years.
During the 2014 World Cup, he suffered a back injury in the quarterfinal, which subsequently ruled him out of the semifinal match. Brazil went on to lose the match 7-1 on home soil.
The star player also missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle. He was ruled out for several weeks in 2021 with a similar injury.
After the win against Serbia, head coach Tite was confident that Neymar will still play a part in the World Cup.
Brazil, one of the tournament favourites, will take on Switzerland on Monday, 28 November and Ghana on Friday, 2 December. They currently top Group G.
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