Brazil’s medical team has confirmed Neymar’s ankle injury in Brazil’s World Cup opener against Serbia, MySportDab reports.
The South American giants survived Serbia’s first-half scare by scoring twice in the second half to pounce the Serbians.
Both goals came from Premier League and Tottenham star Richarlison, who bagged a brace in his World Cup debut for Brazil.
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While the 2022 Copa America runners-up celebrated the deserved opening win, they still had a cause to worry following the injury of one of their top playmakers – Neymar Junior.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was at the heart of Brazil’s 2-0 win. He made a daring move down the Serbian defense to create room for the first goal.
Throughout the game, Serbian players vigorously ensured they marked him out and left him with no space to make a difference in the game.
The former Barcelona was fouled nine times by an intensely physical Serbian team, who ensured he had no space in the game.
In the 80th minute, Neymar had to be subbed off for Manchester United winger and former Ajax star Antony.
The substitution became necessary after Neymar spent some time on the ground after a hard physical tackle by Nikola Milenkovic.
Neymar was pictured in tears on the Brazil bench after being sub-off following the injury.
Another video, which is available at the end of this post, shows Neymar limping to Brazil’s locker room after the game.
He was treated with ice packs by team trainers while on the bench before the end of the match.
Meanwhile, a statement by Brazil’s medical team to the media has confirmed that he suffered an ankle injury and the team had to offer the ice pack treatments while he is in the bench due to the impact of the knee of Nikola Milenkovic.
They also added that the team is yet to examine the seriousness of the injury, but the forward is with the Physio and update on the injury will be dropped between 24 to 48 hours.
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