November 27, 2022 01:08 pm | Updated on November 28, 2022 07:59 am IST – DOHA, Qatar
Neymar of Brazil sits injured on the pitch during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium on November 24, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. | Image Credit: Getty Images
FIFA World Championship
Neymar is planning a return to the World Cup despite posting a picture of his still-swollen ankle on Saturday.
Neymar is undergoing treatment for damaged ligaments in his right ankle after being injured in Brazil’s 2-0 opening win over Serbia on Thursday. Team doctors said Neymar would miss Monday’s match against Switzerland but did not detail a timetable for his return — or say if he could return.
Neymar wrote on Instagram that he was enduring “one of the hardest moments” of his career, but seemed optimistic about his chances of a comeback. She showed two photos of her swollen ankle in an Instagram story.
“I was injured, yes, and it was a pain, and it hurt,” he said. “But I’m sure I’ll have the chance to come back, because I’ll do everything to help my country, my teammates and myself.”
He said he waited a long time for the World Cup to come out like this.
“Nothing in my life has been easy or given to me,” Neymar said. “I have to follow my dreams and goals.”
Neymar was also injured at the 2014 World Cup, when a back injury sustained in the quarterfinals against Colombia ruled him out of the tournament hosted by his country. Brazil lost to Germany 7-1 in the semifinals.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has been undergoing physiotherapy treatment since the injury. He also suffered minor bone trauma in both legs after roughing the Serbian defense from the start. He was fouled nine times, the most of any World Cup player in the first set of group stage matches.
30-year-old Neymar is second on Brazil’s scoring list with 75 goals, two behind Pelé’s national team record. He helped the “Seleção” win the 2013 Confederations Cup and its first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, but has yet to win a major title in Brazil.
Brazil coach Tite has yet to announce who will replace Neymar while he is unavailable. Tite will also miss Danilo, who picked up an ankle injury against Serbia.
Brazil, seeking its first World Cup title in two decades, will face Cameroon in its final group match. It can reach the round of 16 with a win on Monday if Cameroon fail to beat Serbia in their other group match.
