Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that Neymar is a major doubt for Tuesday’s World Cup semifinal against Germany after suffering what appears to be a serious injury.
The forward was stretchered off the pitch in Friday’s win over Colombia after a heavy challenge from defender Juan Camillo Zuniga.
Speaking to the press afterwards, Scolari was pessimistic about his star’s chances of appearing in Tuesday’s match.
“(Neymar) has been sent to a private clinic with the doctor because he was kneed in his lower back,” the coach said.
“He was crying in pain.
“It won’t be easy for him to recover based on the fact that it’s a back injury and with the pain he’s in.
“Let’s hope everything goes OK. I think that Germany will be very difficult for Neymar.
“If we can win it may be possible for him to play in the final.”
Neymar has scored four goals in this World Cup and has been one of the team’s top performers. Brazil will also be missing Thiago Silva due to yellow card accumulation.
Scolari also lashed out against Brazil’s opponents for the injury.
“Everyone knows he’s going to be hunted,” Scolari said. “For three matches that has been happening.”
He also praised David Luiz, whose free kick goal became the match-winner.
“He studied the videos of Marcelinho taking free kicks for Corinthians and tried to hit the ball in the same way.”
