PSG forward Neymar Jr has been ruled out of Brazil’s next two World Cup games against Switzerland and Cameroon respectively after sustaining ligament damage in his right ankle, says Rodrigo Lasmar the Brazil team doctor.
The 30-year-old forward was replaced in the 80th minute of Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia after a heavy tackle by Nikola Milenkovic.
Neymar sat with his face covered while receiving treatment and pictures showed his right ankle was swollen.
“This is one of the hardest moments of my career. Nothing in my life came easy and I’ve always had to work for my dreams and goals,” Neymar described the injury
“I’m injured, yes it’s not nice, it will hurt but I’m sure I will have the chance to come back because I’ll do everything possible to help my country, my teammates, and myself.” He wrote on Instagram
Photo credit: courtesy
This happens to be Neymar’s 3rd appearance at the World Cup for his country Brazil and he’s in the quest to lift his first-ever World Cup trophy.
The Brazilian star has played 11 games and has a tally of six goals in the two previous world cups, four in the 2014 edition hosted by Brazil and two in 2018 in Russia.
The PSG star is just two goals away from equaling and three goals from breaking Brazilian legend Pele’s record as Brazil’s all-time goal top scorer.
Legendary Pele has 77 goals in 91 games while Neymar Jr has 75 goals in 121 caps. The 30-year-old’s most recent international goal was against Tunisia in a friendly match on the 27th of September 2022 when he converted a penalty in Brazil’s 5-1 win.
Photo Credit: courtesy
Neymar’s Brazil has gone twenty years without winning the World Cup since 2002 when they edged past Germany in the final in a 2-0 win courtesy of Ronaldo’s brace on 30th of June 2002 at the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.
Brazil has a record of five World Cup trophies.
