Neymar doubtful to play in World Cup quarter final against Colombia

Brazil's forward Neymar (R) reacts after being fouled by Chile's midfielder Charles Aranguiz during the round of 16 football match between Brazil and Chile.
Brazil's forward Neymar (R) reacts after being fouled by Chile's midfielder Charles Aranguiz during the round of 16 football match between Brazil and Chile.

Brazil might have to field a starting eleven without their forward Neymar who had earlier taken a knock to his thigh during Brazil’s Round of 16 win over Chile on Saturday.

Talking to FIFA.com, head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said, "We will do our best to put him on the pitch.”

"Neymar needs to be valued for what he did because it was a big effort," he continued. "He played 75 minutes of the match after a strong hit on the thigh and we couldn't understand how somebody hits with that strength and gets no card.”

"We need to evaluate it but we should have three, four or five days to try and make sure he can play the next game," he concluded.

Neymar, 22, marred against Chile midfielder Charles Aranguiz after a heavy tackle in the fourth minute of the match, but went onto play for 116 minutes post the injury.

"Today I had everything. I took a knock, I had cramp. Now all I want to do is rest," said Neymar after the victory, as quoted in the Guardian. "I felt no fear. Fear removes the desire to win. We knew that we would be playing a great team, but there was no fear.”

The men in yellow made it into the next round after they were tied 1-1 at the end of extra time, followed by a penalty shootout where Neymar scored the final decisive goal, taking Brazil to the quarter finals.

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor