Neymar looks distraught on Brazil bench as photo shows swollen ankle, but Tite hopeful his main man'

April 2024 ยท 2 minute read

Brazil boss Tite is hopeful Neymar's World Cup is not over despite the nasty looking injury he sustained during their World Cup opener.

The five-time champions beat Serbia 2-0 with Richarlison scoring both goals, the second was absolutely stunning and described as 'one of the best World Cup goals ever'.

However, there were worrying scenes involving their star man Neymar.

A crunching challenge from Nikola Milenkovic meant he had to be substituted in the second half, and replays showed his ankle took a nasty hit.

While sitting on the Brazil bench, he lifted his shirt over his head and looked distraught.

"He had swelling, we immediately started treatment at the bank," team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.

"Now we have to wait 24 hours, 48 hours to have a clearer idea. There is no imaging exam scheduled. If required, we will do it. It will be decided as it is evaluated [Friday]."

But Selecao boss Tite moved to calm fears his World Cup could be over.

Tite has been quoted saying: "We are confident that Neymar will continue playing in the World Cup."

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Neymar spent 11 more minutes on the pitch after suffering the injury before being substituted.

Asked why he had not made the decision earlier, Tite said: "I didn't see Neymar was injured. The capacity he has to overcome it, it tricked me. I only saw it now when I watched the video."

Neymar is in his third World Cup for Brazil and there is pressure on him to deliver.

He is on 75 goals for his country and is just two goals behind Pele's official record.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gee, a Brazil fan doesn't want to lose him.

"He's one of the players you want in your Brazil team," he told the Sports Bar.

"He might not do everything you want, but he tried to do the best for the team."

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