Thiago Silva has admitted Neymar is “indispensable” to the Brazil side as the forward's World Cup injury woes continue.
The Paris Saint-Germain star suffered an ankle injury in the Selecao’s group opener in Qatar against Serbia and missed out on Monday’s slender victory over Switzerland. On paper, it feels as though his absence has not been felt too severely with Tite’s men having won each of their opening two World Cup matches for the first time since 2002 to book their place in the last-16.
They weren’t at their scintillating best against the Swiss - Casemiro ’s goal proving enough for Brazil. Yet Silva has claimed the absence of Neymar was certainly felt considering his key role in the team.
As quoted by beIN Sports, the Chelsea veteran said: “We felt the absence of Neymar today. Even as a strong collective, he will be missed by the entire team . . . He is an indispensable player on the team.”
In the meantime, Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr has revealed that his international colleague has been handed a fresh blow with illness having prevented him from seeing his side in action against Switzerland.
“He was sad he couldn’t come to the game . . . He wasn’t feeling well. Not only because of the foot, but also because he had a little bit of a fever. We are hoping that he can recover as soon as possible,” the winger said.
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It remains to be seen when Neymar will return to action for Brazil having seen his tournament in 2014 hugely disrupted due to a fractured vertebrae.
Taking to Instagram after his injury against Serbia, he wrote: "The pride and love I feel wearing the shirt is inexplicable. If God gave me the opportunity to choose a country to be born in, it would be Brazil.
"Nothing in my life was given or easy, I always had to chase after my dreams and my goals. Never wishing someone harm but helping those in need. Today has become one of the most difficult moments of my career... and again in a World Cup!
"I have an injury yes, it is annoying, it is going to hurt, but I'm sure I will have a chance to come back because I'll do my best to help my country, my teammates and myself. Long wait for the enemy to take me down like this? Never! I am the son of the god of the impossible and my faith is endless."
Even if he is fit, Neymar is unlikely to be risked in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon on Friday with their progression having been secured already. Should they win the group, they will take on the runner-up from Group H which could be any of Ghana, South Korea or South American rivals Uruguay.
