Striker Neymar's injury scare amid Copa America's victory
Brazil’s Copa America preparations suffered a huge injury scare on Wednesday (June 6) after striker Neymar limped off the field as the Selecao beat Qatar at 2-0.
A distraught-looking Neymar was seen covering his face with his hands as he sat on the bench after hobbling from the field in the 20th minute at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha Stadium.
A large ice pack had been strapped to the Paris Saint-Germain striker’s lower right leg. Two members of Brazil’s support staff had to carry him from the pitch.Minutes after Richarlison had just opened the scoring in the 17th minute Neymar departed with pain in his right ankle.
The injury comes just nine days away from the opening game for Brazil in the 2019 Copa America, which the South American powerhouses are hosting.
Gabriel Jesus added a second goal in the 23rd minute, but all the attention was focused on the injury to Neymar, which the Brazilian Football Confederation described as a sprain.
Any serious injury to Neymar would be a massive blow to the host nation’s hopes as they attempt to win South Americas continental championship for the first time since 2007.
Neymar had dominated headlines in Brazil since Saturday after a woman accused him of raping her in a Paris hotel. He has strongly denied the allegations. Earlier on Wednesday, the head of Brazil’s football federation insisted that Neymar would play in the Copa America despite the allegations of rape, a day after a senior official said he was willing to “bet” the star striker would quit.
Despite police investigations into the alleged rape and the publication of intimate images on social media, Neymar has continued to train with his Brazilian team-mates for the Copa America, which kicks off June 14.
Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Rogerio Caboclo told reporters Wednesday that the worlds most expensive player would take part in the tournament — the second time in as many days he has made such an assurance.
His remarks came after CBF vice president Francisco Noveletto was quoted by Brazilian media Tuesday as saying he was willing to “bet” that Neymar would quit.
“He doesnt have the psychological condition to face the Copa America and journalists,” Noveletto said.
Hours ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Qatar in Brasilia, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro offered his public backing for the embattled player. “Hes going through a difficult moment but I believe him,” he said.
At a news conference on Monday, national coach Tite was bombarded with questions about the affair and its effect on the squad. Attempting to sidestep the issue, Tite said he would “not judge” Neymar, who he said was “indispensable” to the team, but not “irreplaceable” either.
