Neymar is out of Brazil’s game against Switzerland and could also miss the clash with Cameroon, but he still has big World Cup ambitions.
Neymar described the injury that has put his World Cup on ice as “one of the hardest moments of my career” after the Brazil star was sidelined by an ankle problem.
He was ruled out of the Selecao’s second Group G match against Switzerland on Monday and could also miss the clash with Cameroon four days later.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward suffered a heavy blow to his right ankle following a challenge from Nikola Milenkovic in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia and had to be substituted in the 80th minute.
He was fouled nine times in the match, more than any other player in a World Cup game in a single group game in Qatar. The next highest figure was the five kept by Spain’s Gavi against Costa Rica.
Neymar is looking to crown his brilliant career with a World Cup triumph and is confident he will return to full fitness and play a role later in the tournament.
“The pride and love I feel wearing the shirt has no explanation,” he wrote on Instagram. “If God gave me the opportunity to choose the country where I would be born, it would be BRAZIL.
“Nothing in my life was given or easy. I always had to follow my dreams and my goals. Never wish evil on anyone, but help those in need.”
“Today became one of the most difficult moments in my career… and again in the World Cup. I have an injury, yes, it’s uncomfortable, it will hurt, but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to come back because I’ll do whatever it takes in my power to help my country, my teammates and myself.”
He was seen in tears on Brazil’s bench towards the end of the game and it would have been a grim situation for the 30-year-old had his injury not been one that he quickly shrugged off.
Neymar added: “Wait a long time for the enemy to knock me down like this? NEVER! I am a CHILD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE GOD and my FAITH is infinite.”
World Cup fitness worries are nothing new for Neymar. He was forced out of the 2014 finals, hosted by Brazil, when he suffered a back injury in the quarter-final win against Colombia.
At the 2014 and 2018 World Cups combined, Neymar was fouled by a leading player 44 times – or once every 21 minutes, more than any other player who has been fouled at least 25 times.