Neymar injury: Brazil fans 'don't have to worry' as striker is likely to face Colombia in World Cup quarter-final

The hosts' talisman picked knocks to both his thigh and ankle in the win over Chile

Simon Rice
Wednesday 02 July 2014 08:53 BST
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Neymar pictured after Brazil's victory over Chile
Neymar pictured after Brazil's victory over Chile (GETTY IMAGES)

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Brazil are hopeful that Neymar will be available for their quarter-final meeting with Colombia on Friday.

The hosts' talisman picked up knocks to his thigh and ankle during the game against Chile which Brazil eventually came through on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.

"The worst is the knee - it's what's hurting the most," said Brazil spokesman Rodrigo Paiva.

"He will be evaluated again, but team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said fans don't have to worry because he's not a concern for the match."

The absence of Neymar would be a major blow for Brazil with the Barcelona player scoring four goals so far in the competition plus having the nerve to score the final spot-kick in the shoot-out with Chile.

During that game the 22-year-old came in for some rough treatment from Brazil's fellow South Americans, something manager Luiz Felipe Scolari was unhappy with after the match.

"We have four or five days to get Neymar in shape for the next match. It is a big problem, his thigh is swollen," Scolari said in the aftermath of his side's dramatic win.

"I remember when I was Portugal coach and, in the fifth minute of the game, Netherlands defender Khalid Boulahrouz broke Cristiano Ronaldo in half and he had to go off 10 minutes later.

"When I saw Neymar after the game today I remembered that. Some people say Neymar falls too easily. He fell three times."

Scolari added last Saturday: "We will do our best to put him on the pitch."

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