Qatar 2022: Neymar’s injury worries Brazil’s camp

By George Aluo

Brazil may have won their opening match against Serbia but there is anxiety in the team’s camp no thanks to Neymar’s ankle injury.

Neymar was substituted in the 80th minute in the game against Serbia and his ankle was swollen.

Brazil’s team doctor confirmed the forward suffered the injury and that it will be reassessed on Friday (today).

“We are confident Neymar will continue playing in the World Cup,” Brazil head coach Tite insisted.

The 30-year-old was replaced in the 80th minute of Thursday’s 2-0 win after a heavy tackle from Nikola Milenkovic.

He sat with his face covered while receiving treatment and pictures showed his right ankle was heavily swollen.

“I didn’t see Neymar was injured – the capacity he has to overcome it tricked even me,” Tite added when asked why Neymar was not withdrawn earlier.

The Selecao face Switzerland in their second Group G game on Monday (16:00 GMT).

“On Friday, we will have a new assessment,” said team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. “Now we need to wait, we cannot make premature comments.”

The Paris St-Germain striker has suffered a number of injury problems with his right foot over the past few years.

He missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle and was out for several weeks in 2021 with a similar injury.

Neymar was fouled nine times during the game against Serbia, drawing four more free-kicks than any other player at this year’s World Cup so far.