There it was again, drama personified. This time, Neymar hobbled through the catacombs of Qatar's Lusail Stadium wearing gold headphones and black compression stockings on his lower legs.
He kept his eyes down, serious expression, he didn't want to say anything about the severity of his ankle injury. That's another reason why the Brazilians aren't the only ones to ask: was that the end of the World Cup? Will the 30-year-old football superstar's personal tournament curse continue? The only thing that is certain for now is that he will not be available for the Seleção in the next game on Monday against Switzerland due to a ligament injury.
"Today is one of the most difficult moments in my career," wrote Neymar on Instagram, "and that's again at a World Cup". It hurts him, "but I'm sure I'll have the chance to come back." He is the "son of the god of the impossible".
Right-back Danilo, who also injured his ankle in the 2-0 opening win against Serbia, will also miss the game against Switzerland. "But they remain in treatment for the World Cup," said team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. Exactly how long the two professionals will be out remains unclear. Brazilian media unanimously reported that even the entire group phase was over for them. Accordingly, they would not be able to play against Cameroon in a week. Both are to be treated physiotherapeutically in the coming days.
Neymar's tournament curse continues
There was a first diagnosis of Neymar immediately after the Serbia game: ankle swollen and edema. In a way, the injury now fits the superstar's personal tournament curse. At the 2014 home tournament, Colombian Juan Camilo Zúñiga rammed his knee into his back so badly that he fractured his vertebrae. Neymar missed the 7-1 draw against Germany in the semifinals. In 2018, after breaking a metatarsal, he traveled to the tournament in Russia in anything but top form, where he primarily attracted attention because of his epilepsy. Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals. He missed out on winning the 2019 Copa America due to an injury. And now?
"We are confident that he can continue playing at this World Cup. He will continue this World Cup," national coach Tite announced defiantly. Only the next few days will show whether this is actually the case. If necessary, X-rays will also be taken, said team doctor Lasmar. First of all, Neymar's foot should now be treated with physiotherapy.
Thiago Silva: "These are things that happen"
Tite is not short of personal alternatives. When Neymar was forced out through injury, the 61-year-old brought in Manchester United's equally gifted dribbler Antony. There are also Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Gabriel Martinelli or Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal and Fred, who also plays for Man United. And that Brazil can win big titles without Neymar has been clear since the Copa three years ago at the latest. Nevertheless, the Seleção is worried.
"We hope it's nothing big," said captain Thiago Silva. "It's normal for him to be a little sad about the situation. But those are things that happen. We're with him. And if he's not fit against Switzerland, it will be for the last game against Cameroon." Ideally, the Brazilians want to have qualified for the round of 16 by then.
The fact that they are well on their way there is largely due to Richarlison. With a brace, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker had defeated the Serbs practically single-handedly. His first goal (62nd minute) was a dry sweep, the second all the more spectacular. With preparatory work from Vincius Júnior, he put the ball up himself and then hammered it into the net with a side kick. "I think it was one of the best goals I've ever scored," he said. It will also remain one of the most beautiful of this tournament. Nevertheless, in the end almost everything revolved around Neymar.
