‘One of the hardest moments of my career’: Brazil star Neymar is ruled out of remaining two group matches after sustaining ankle injury in the win over Serbia… but PSG forward vows ‘I’ll do everything possible to help my country’
- Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s remaining two group matches due to injury
- The 30-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the latter stages of win over Serbia
- A return date has not been set for Neymar but he’s hopeful of being back soon
- Brazil face Switzerland on Monday before taking on Cameroon four days later
Brazil forward Neymar has described his latest injury setback as ‘one of the hardest moments of my career’.
The 30-year-old was replaced with 10 minutes remaining of the 2-0 win over Serbia following a strong tackle by Nikola Milenkovic.
Brazil’s team doctor confirmed on Friday Neymar will miss the remaining two group matches and a return date has not been set.
Neymar has been ruled out of Brazil’s remaining two group matches due to an ankle injury
Neymar has since taken to social media to describe the ankle injury as one of his hardest moment but he’s confident of returning to action soon.
The PSG star wrote on Instagram: ‘Nothing in my life came easy and I’ve always had to work for my dreams and goals. I have never wished anyone anything bad and always helped who needed.
‘I’m injured, yes it’s not nice, it will hurt but I’m sure I will have the chance to come back because I’ll do everything possible to help my country, my team-mates and myself.’
Brazil will return to action against against Switzerland on Monday evening before taking on Cameroon four days later.
The 30-year-old was on the receiving end of a heavy tackle from Serbia’s Nikola Milenkovic
Right-back Danilo also suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be out of action.
Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said: ‘Neymar and Danilo went through an MRI on Friday afternoon and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them,
‘They will miss the next game for sure and we will be cautious as they will undergo treatment in order to try to get them in shape so they can play again in the World Cup.’
Right-back Danilo also suffered an ankle injury in their victory against Serbia on Thursday
Winger Antony and midfielder Lucas Paqueta could both also miss the game against Switzerland due to illness.
In Neymar’s absence, Brazil manager Tite could call on Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli or his Gunners team-mate Gabriel Jesus as well as Flamengo’s Pedro.
Brazil will be confident of comfortably making the knockout stages despite Neymar’s absence after their comfortable victory on Thursday in arguably their most difficult fixture of the group stage.
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