neymar: Neymar undergoing treatment to ankle injured at World Cup

Brazil star Neymar was tested and receiving treatment at the team hotel on Friday after injuring his right ankle in their 2-0 defeat of Serbia in their World Cup opener. The team did not provide any details about the extent of his injury. Neymar sprained his ankle in the second half of a tough match against Serbia on Thursday. He had tears in his eyes as he sat on the bench and limped off the field on his way to the locker room after the match.

“Difficult game, but it was important to win,” Neymar said on his social media accounts shortly after leaving the Lusail Stadium without speaking to the media.

“Congratulations team, the first step has been taken. Six more to go.”

In an Instagram story following the match, Neymar posted a text that mentioned the need to “keep the faith”. “It’s about believing that everything will be alright despite the chaos. It’s certain that the best is yet to come. It’s the understanding that everything has its time,” said the text.

Brazil coach Tite had already expressed hope about Neymar’s condition.

After the match he said, “You can be sure Neymar will still play in this World Cup.”

“I’m sure of that.”

Team doctor Rodrigo Lassmar said after the game it was too early to know the extent of the injury. He said he began treating the injury as soon as Neymar left the field and continued after the match.

Neymar was substituted in the 79th minute after nearly 10 minutes injuring his ankle while being tackled by Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic.

Neymar had been tackled several times earlier in the match, and was seen grinning and limping on a few other occasions. He was fouled nine times, the most of all World Cup players after the first round of group stage matches.

Brazil goalkeeper Alisson said, “We will be excited, that is the specialty of this team.”

“These adverse conditions will only make the group stronger.”

Brazil’s next match is against Switzerland on Monday. The five-time world champions ended their group-stage campaign against Cameroon on 2 December. Brazil leads Group G along with Switzerland, which opened with a win against Cameroon.

If Neymar is unable to play, he could be replaced by Rodrigo, who came on as a second-half substitute against Serbia on Thursday.

Neymar, 30, also suffered an injury at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when his tournament ended with a back injury in the quarter-finals against Colombia. He had to be carried off the field on a stretcher, and Brazil lost 7–1 to Germany in the semi-finals.

Neymar’s right foot has given him problems in the past in a series of injuries since the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Another right ankle sprain ruled him out of the 2019 Copa América, which was won by Brazil.

Neymar, 30, is yet to win a major title with the national team. He helped the “Seleção” win their first Olympic gold medal at the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

With 75 goals for the national team, he is two shy of Pelé’s scoring record.

Another player with a sprained right ankle on Thursday was defender Danilo, although Lassmar said his injury was not serious.

Originally published at Pen 18