Neymar Out Of World Cup

IN PAIN: Neymar Out Of World Cup
Neymar receiving medical attention, while defender Marcelo looks on sympathetically
Brazil superstar Neymar will miss the remainder of the World Cup with a broken bone in his back.
The 22-year-old, who had scored four times to lead his country to the quarter-finals, was carried off on a stretcher in the closing stages of Friday's 2-1 win over Colombia and taken to hospital.
And team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told local media in Brazil that Neymar will not kick another ball at the finals, expecting his recovery period to be at least four weeks.
'It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he'll need to immobilize it to recover,' he told SportTV. 'Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play.
'The exact time (to play again) can be four to six weeks, but it is too early to confirm this. Let's wait for other tests. This is the first diagnosis we had. Initially, we know he will not be able to play.'
Neymar flew back to Rio de Janeiro from Fortaleza with the rest of his team-mates following the match and was then transported by ambulance to the team's training base at Teresopolis.
The Barcelona forward had been struggling in the build-up to the all-South American clash with thigh and knee strains but was passed fit to start.
But he was carried off three minutes from the end after Juan Zuniga's knee landed in his lower back leaving him in tears.
Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, speaking before Lasmar's interview, said: 'I don't think he'll be able to play in the next match.
Meanwhile, the perpetrator, Zuniga, has sent a message of support to Neymar amid criticism of the challenge which has ruled the Brazil talisman out of the rest of the World Cup.
Zuniga defended his challenge immediately after the match and on Saturday emphasised he had meant Neymar no harm.
'I feel burdened by this situation,' Zuniga said in an Instagram message.
'It resulted from a normal play and there was no bad intention, evil or recklessness on my part.
'I want to send a special salute to Neymar.
'I admire you, I respect you and I consider you one of the best players in the world.
'I hope you recover soon in order to continue to show us that in football there is a sport full of virtue and qualities, which I have put into practice since I was 12 years old and as a professional player.'
Zuniga also expressed gratitude to the Brazilian fans.
By Daily Guide