Brazil will make a decision on Neymar’s further involvement in the World Cup after their final group stage match against Cameroon on Friday. The PSG forward picked up an injury in Brazil’s first match of the tournament - a 2-0 victory against Serbia last Thursday.
Neymar was substituted off in the 78th minute having hurt his ankle and subsequently missed the 1-0 win over Serbia on Monday. Pictures released after the Serbia match Neymar’s ankle to be extremely swollen having sprained it.
Aged 30, the Qatar tournament could be the superstar’s last chance to win a World Cup with Brazil and despite Brazil's medical department declaring he would be fit after the group stage, there are fears that Neymar’s injury is worse than feared.
READ MORE: Will Neymar be fit again this World Cup?
The Mirror are reporting there is a chance Neymar has sustained ligament damage which would all but rule him out of the rest of the World Cup in what would be a major blow to Brazil. He has scored 75 goals for A Selecao in 122 appearances.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s match, Brazil assistant coach Cleber Xavier confirmed injured players Neymar, Danilo and Alex Sandro will have to prove their fitness ahead of the knockout stages and there is a plan in place for them.
"They are progressing," Xavier said (via the Express). "We are focused on the game against Cameroon, and then we will start the decision-making process about these players. We already have a plan prepared for their return."
Brazil have coped well without Neymar but there is little doubt that head coach Tite would love to have the former Barcelona player’s big-game experience at his disposal. The pre-tournament favourites are top of Group G having won both of their matches so far.
Brazil will play their last 16 tie on Monday or Tuesday but it appears unlikely that their poster boy forward will take part in the match. Their advancement beyond that stage is not guaranteed, of course, but if they do progress then it is not certain whether Neymar will kick another ball in Qatar.
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