Neymar announcement leaves football fans gutted at FIFA World Cup

Brazil's team doctor has announced that Neymar will not play in their next match against Switzerland at the World Cup in Qatar, with reports emerging that he will not play again in the group stage. The Paris Saint-Germain star suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday when he collided with Nikola Milenkovic during the second half.

The 30-year-old tried to continue but was substituted with about 10 minutes to go and underwent an examination on Friday. Neymar looked completely shattered as he sat on the Brazil bench during the second half, covering his face with his hands and jersey.

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Rodrigo Lasmar, the doctor for the Brazilian football federation (CBF), said the 30-year-old had suffered "ligament damage". Lasmar said Neymar would miss the match against Switzerland on Monday, while right-back Danilo will also miss the second Group G game with an ankle strain.

"We will not have these two players for our next match but they continue their treatment with the aim of recovering in time for the rest of the competition," the doctor said in a video released by the CBF. Neymar also took to Instagram vowing to make it back onto the pitch amid reports that he won't be able to play until the knockout stages.

"If God gave me the opportunity to choose a country to be born in, it would be BRAZIL. Nothing in my life was given or easy, I always had to chase after my dreams and my goals. Never wishing someone harm but helping those in need," he wrote.

"Today has become one of the hardest moments of my career… and again in a World Cup. I have an injury yes, it's annoying, it's going to hurt but I'm sure I'll have the chance to come back because I'll do my best to help my country, my teammates and myself.

"Long wait for the enemy to take me down like this? NEVER! I am the SON OF THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE and my FAITH is endless."

Brazil coach Tite was optimistic after the Serbia match that Neymar would be back to lead Brazil's bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup crown. "You can be certain that Neymar is going to play in the World Cup," Tite said, adding that the attacker had initially stayed on the pitch after hurting his ankle "because the team needed him".

Neymar suffers more injury heartbreak at World Cup

Neymar's career has been plagued by injuries which have impacted his previous two World Cup campaigns. In 2014 he suffered a fractured bone in his back in a quarter-final win over Colombia, meaning he was sidelined when the hosts were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals.

Four years later he raced to recover from injury in time for the tournament in Russia, but Brazil never hit the expected heights before losing to Belgium in the last eight. The former Barcelona star, who has 122 caps for Brazil, also missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle.

In 2021 he was missed about 10 weeks of the French season after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle. This time he arrived in Qatar fit and firing after a fantastic start to the season with PSG, in which he has scored 15 goals in 20 games.

Neymar, who is playing in his third and possibly last World Cup, needs just two goals to equal Pele's all-time record tally of 77 for the South American nation. Brazil boast an impressive array of attacking talent including Richarlison - who scored both of Brazil's goals against Serbia - Raphinha and Vinicius Junior and they were able to bring Rodrygo and Gabriel Jesus off the bench on Thursday.

with agencies

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