World Cup 2014: Argentina fans mock injured Neymar by celebrating with spinal cord skeleton
Fans seen waving spinal column in the air
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Argentina's ongoing rivalry with Brazil shows no signs of abating after fans were seen mocking the host nation's injured star Neymar.
A film has emerged showing fans of the South American side celebrating with a spinal chord skeleton, undoubtedly a reference to the broken vertebra suffered by World Cup poster boy Neymar in Brazil's quarter-final outing against Colombia.
However the Brazilian forward has garnered more sympathy from Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella, who rose above his country's bitter rivalry with Brazil to comment that "football had shed a tear" following Neymar's injury.
The forward suffered a broken vertebra when Juan Camillo Zuniga kneed him in the back late on in Friday's quarter-final and will miss the rest of the World Cup.
Although it seems Argentina's supporters were unsympathetic to Neymar's plight, the same could not be said of Sabella.
"When I played football, I was a skilful No 10... so I like to see football played well, and I am delighted by great players," he said.
"When a team loses a player of such great qualities, it's as if football has shed a tear.'
"One feels sad, not just as a coach and but as a spectator," Sabella added after his side beat Belgium 1-0 to join Brazil in the last four.
"The worst thing that can happen to a player is to get injured, especially at a crucial moment of a World Cup which he has been dreaming about for so long, and working towards for so long.
"So I can well understand the sense of bitterness and of frustration that he must be feeling.
"I'd like to send a hug and say that I am with him in this difficult moment."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments