Brazil provides important injury update on Neymar

The Brazilian national team had a scare as Neymar had to exit their first World Cup match against Serbia due to an ankle injury. Memories of 2014 popped up as every Brazil fan remembered when Neymar suffered a fractured vertebra and the dream of Brazil winning as hosts fell apart.

This time, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. While Neymar had to miss the final two group stage matches, Brazil cleared him to play in the round of 16 match against South Korea.

Brazil manager Tite confirmed that in his press conference saying “Yes, he will be available.” That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play. Tite pointed out that if “everything goes well” in training, then Neymar will play against South Korea.

Brazil fared alright without Neymar so far. In the group stage, after defeating Serbia 2-0, they beat Switzerland 1-0. In the final group stage game, after clinching a round of 16 spot, Brazil rested a bunch of starters and lost to Cameroon 1-0.

So while Brazil has done the job so far without Neymar, that was also only the group stage. The knockout stage is a much different beast and Neymar will be needed. In 2014, when Neymar fractured his vertebra in the quarterfinal against Colombia, Germany beat them 7-1 in the semifinal. Needless to say, Neymar coming back will be a breath of fresh air for the World Cup favorites.

[Fabrizio Romano]