Brazil will know the extent of Neymar’s knee injury within the next 48 hours after he stumbled in their 2-0 win over Serbia on Thursday night.
The five-time World Cup winners had a comfortable victory thanks to Richarlison’s second goal, but the victory was marred by Neymar’s injury with 10 minutes to go.
Neymar suffered an ankle problem following a challenge from Nikola Milenkovic and went on for 11 minutes, before being taken off by Antony after a tackle.
The 30-year-old had ice on the injured area of his right knee and appeared to be in discomfort as he was comforted by other members of the Selecao bench.
Neymar put his head in his hands under his shirt when he came out
Neymar looked frustrated as he limped off with an ankle problem
Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar joined manager Tite in the post-match press conference and confirmed that Neymar will undergo a hamstring test.
“Neymar injured his right knee, direct trauma,” said Lasmar. “Due to the scare he had with the Serbian player’s knee, we immediately started to treat him on the bench. He continued with treatment and physiotherapy.
“We need 24-48 hours to get a better understanding through MRI. Tomorrow we will have a new study. Now we have to wait, we cannot make unexpected comments about his evolution. We have to wait.
Neymar looks after his injured leg after leaving the pitch
“He stayed on the pitch for 11 minutes after the injury until he couldn’t go on anymore.”
After the team doctor left the press conference, Brazil manager Tite remained confident that the player would play again in the tournament.
“Neymar, he felt this pain throughout the game,” he said. But he decided to stay on the field to help the team, it’s amazing that he was able to endure these pains while the team was playing.
“You can be sure that Neymar will play in the World Cup. He will play in the Cup.”
“The most important thing for us is to have him 100% for the next game,” said Brazil’s all-time great Richarlison, one of Neymar’s founding fathers. “When I get to the hotel I’ll go and see how he is.”
The remaining groups of the Brazil World Cup
Monday November 28: Brazil vs Switzerland (Stadium 974, Doha; from 4pm)
Friday December 2: Cameroon vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; 7pm)
Analysis: Neymar’s injury overshadows Brazil’s success
Neymar has asked his fans to get loud in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Serbia
Sky Sports Football has writer Adam Bate:
“This World Cup was supposed to be Neymar’s song of redemption after he failed to chase the trophy twice. This is his last chance and he came to Paris Saint-Germain in the best form. Now the injury could cost him. .
“Seeing him slumped on the bench after being substituted and the pictures coming out of his swollen hole is scary. Even with 11 days to go before Brazil’s tie in the last 16, there is no time for Neymar to recover and show his best form.
“Brazil has other attacking options, although many are more worthy of a bigger place than the 10th that Neymar made himself. But this is about a man as Tite does after. A famous competition is at stake. about leaving him.”
‘Neymar is in the form of his life’
Micah Richards of Sky Sports speaking to the BBC:
“We have talked about Neymar and this is his competition. He is in the form of his life this season and it is worrying when he goes down like this.
“Let’s hope it’s not too dangerous – you don’t want your main character to get hurt especially in the first game.”
