Skip to content

Brazil faces anxious wait over Neymar's fitness after 'trauma' to ankle

Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Brazil will wait 24-to-48 hours for a full assessment of the injury Neymar suffered during its 2-0 victory over Serbia on Thursday.

The team doctor described the forward's issue as a "trauma" to the right ankle, according to The Independent's Miguel Delaney. Neymar appeared to be in tears after he was substituted during his country's World Cup opener.

The 30-year-old seemed to pick up the injury when Nikola Milenkovic challenged him during a counterattack. Neymar was fouled nine times before he was taken off in the 79th minute - four more times than any other player at the tournament.

Brazil is among the favorites to collect its sixth World Cup in Qatar. Its second group game is against Switzerland on Monday. It will then face Cameroon on Dec. 2 before potentially taking its place in the round of 16.

Neymar has only won the 2013 Confederations Cup with Brazil's senior team but was instrumental in helping the under-23 side collect gold at Rio 2016. He cast doubt over his participation at the 2026 World Cup earlier in November, saying he would play in this tournament "like it's the last."

"I can't guarantee that I'll play another (World) Cup. I honestly don't know," he added.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox