Brazil paid a heavy price for their 2-1 quarter-final defeat of Colombia in
Fortaleza on Friday, with star man Neymar suffering a fractured vertebra
that will cause him to miss the rest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
After being carried off in tears on a stretcher, Neymar was taken to the
city’s Hospital Sao Carlos, where it was confirmed that his third vertebra
had been broken. The news that neither his team nor his country wanted to
hear was announced by the Brazil’s medical staff at the Estadio Castelao.
“Neymar had a scan, which confirmed he had fractured his third vertebra,”
said Brazilian Football Association (CBF) doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. “In
terms of the recovery process, it’s a fracture that heals quickly, but
unfortunately he’ll be in no condition to play next week.”
Lasmar added: “It’s not serious in the sense that it requires surgery, but
he’s in pain and he’ll need to immobilise it to recover. He’ll have to have
it immobilised with a belt for a few weeks to be able to get back to full
mobility.”
Neymar sustained the injury in the closing stages of the match, under a
challenge from a Colombian defender. The sight of the stricken No10
being carried off and then taken to hospital for scans dampened the spirits
of the Brazil fans as they celebrated their side’s qualification for the last
four.
While the confirmation that Neymar’s tournament is over was greeted
with dismay and sadness, his team-mates are already thinking about how
to make up for his absence, Hulk among them. “It’s very sad news,” said
the forward. “Nobody expected this.
“We are delighted with the win but sad about this news. It’s all very
frustrating. Neymar really looks after himself. He was so excited about the
World Cup and he’d helped us so much. We have to get over this and run
even harder for him. We’re going to try and be the champions anyway and
dedicate the title to him.”
Neymar has been one of A Seleção’s stand-out performers at the World
Cup, scoring four goals, but will now have to watch from the sidelines
when Brazil take on Germany in next Tuesday’s semi-final in Belo
Horizonte.
Soure:FIFA
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