Neymar has been sent an emotional open letter of support from Brazil legend Ronaldo amid fears that his World Cup may be over.
Neymar was withdrawn in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday and was then pictured in tears on the bench, prior to confirmation that he was ruled out of his nation’s group games against Switzerland – which Brazil won 1-0 on Monday evening – and Cameroon.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar was diagnosed with an ankle strain but there are growing concerns that there may be ligament damage in his ankle. His participation in the Round of 16 – where Brazil will face one of Portugal, Ghana, South Korea or Uruguay, is now at risk.
If Neymar has suffered ligament damage, the expected timeline for a return to fitness from the original would be three weeks. That would leave him in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup final, should Brazil make it that far in the tournament.
Neymar’s father has even expressed similar concerns, refusing to put a timeline on his son’s return to fitness but telling talkSPORT that he would be fit to play in the final of the World Cup in an update which may not reassure many followers of the Selecao.
Former Brazil international and the nation’s icon Ronaldo, whose playing career was hampered by a series of long-term injury layoffs and fitness issues, said in an Instagram post to Neymar: “I couldn't start this open letter any other way: you are awesome, Neymar! A giant!
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“I am sure that most Brazilians, like me, admire and love you. Your talent, by the way, has taken you so far, so high, that there is love and admiration for you in every corner of the world. And it is also for this reason, for having reached where you have, for the success you have achieved, that you have to deal with so much envy and evil.
“Something like celebrating the injury of a star like you, with a story like yours. How far have we fallen? What world is this? What message are we passing on to our young people? There will always be people rooting against you, but it is sad to see society on a path of trivializing intolerance, of normalising hate speech.
“It is against this verbal violence with destructive power that I write to you today: come back stronger! Smarter! Hungry for goals! The good you do on and off the field is much greater than envy towards you. Don't forget for a second the journey that made you a world football idol. Brazil loves you! The real fans - the ones who are in favour - need your goals, dribbles, boldness and joy!
“Celebrate the love that comes from most of your country. You will bounce back Neymar! And may all the hate turn into fuel. To everyone who has read this far, I ask that you send positive energy to the national team, to Neymar, to Danilo and all the players.”
