Unable to participate in the 3rd due to an ankle injury
Brazil, Hisharlisson and Rafinha are in good shape
▲ Neymar.
AP News
Qatar 2022 World Cup winner “ranked 0” Brazil found themselves in a situation where they had to play the group stage without main striker Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain).
On the 28th (Korean time), ESPN, an American sports channel, quoted a source as saying, “Neymar is expected to miss the second match against Switzerland on the 29th and the third match against Cameroon on the 3rd of next month.”
Neymar started the 25th in the group stage match against Serbia in the first match of group G held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, but was substituted in the 34th minute of the second half after colliding with opposing defender Nikola Milenkovic. Following a careful examination, ligament damage in his right ankle was found, which made it difficult to participate in the group stage.
Brazil is particularly sensitive to Neymar’s injury. There is grief over the humiliating 1-7 defeat by Germany in the semi-final after Neymar was injured in the tournament held in his country eight years ago. Brazil calls the match “The Tragedy of Mineiro”, a reference to the “Tragedy of Maracanã”, which lost the championship to Uruguay in 1950.
Due to this sense of crisis, Brazilian coach Chichi came forward and apologised. Coach Chichi said in the official press conference against Switzerland on the 28th: “I didn’t see the situation where Neymar was injured. “I wasn’t aware of the seriousness because there was no information,” he said, “it’s my responsibility not to replace Neymar earlier.” He also said: “Neymar tried to stay down until he collapsed. He continued to participate in the attack for the team,” he added.
However, nobody expects Brazil to be eliminated from the group stage without Neymar. That’s because Brazil’s bench is lined with ‘world class’ strikers in addition to Neymar.
Hisharlisson (Tottenham), Rodrygo (Real Madrid) and Rafinha (FC Barcelona), who scored twice in the first leg, were joined by Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Gabriele Marchinelli and Gabriel Jeju.S (Arsenal), Anthony ( Manchester) United) and Pedro (Flamengo) are all waiting to play. In other countries, these are the players who would have been the starters instead of the bench. That’s why Brazilian samba football is still strong even without Neymar.
Reporter Jang Hyeong-woo
