Brazil face an anxious wait over Neymar’s injury following their 2-0 victory over Serbia at the World Cup.
Richarlison’s double has given Brazil the perfect start in Group G but the South American nation could now be without their talisman after Neymar was forced off in the second half.
The 30-year-old, who was fouled nine times during the game, suffered a sprain to his right ankle but continued to play for another 12 minutes before leaving the field.
As he was being treated by physios, Neymar could be seen in tears as he sat on the bench while he was consoled by his Brazil teammates.
Neymar was also seen visibly limping as he made his way to Brazil’s dressing room, while pitchside photographers were able to capture the immediate swelling to the forward’s right ankle.
Neymar is now in a race to be fit for Brazil’s second game in Group G against Switzerland on Monday.
‘He’s just sprained his right ankle and it’s already swollen a little,’ Brazil’s team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the game.
‘It is important to see how he will respond. We have already started the treatment and we need to be calm and patient.’
When asked if Neymar’s World Cup is in doubt, Lasmar said: ‘It’s too early to say.
‘You have to be calm to define how the evolution will be.’
However, Brazil head coach Tite was more upbeat when asked about the severity of Neymar’s injury.
‘You can be sure of this, Neymar will play in the World Cup,’ said Tite.
‘You can be absolutely sure of this, Neymar will play in the World Cup!’
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