Brazil coach stern warning to rival players targeting Neymar

• Neymar sustained a ligament injury during a match with Serbia
• Neymar had to be replaced in the 80th minute
• He will be out in two games

Following Brazil striker, Neymar ligament injury in their group-stage victory against Serbia, Brazil’s head coach Tite says the high amount of fouls on Neymar needs to stop.

Neymar had to be replaced in the 80th minute due to an ankle injury; Neymar appeared to be in tears on the bench. In Thursday’s 2-0 victory, Nikola Milenkovic delivered a powerful tackle to the 30-year-old.

Tite says that a coach has to look out for his players because they cannot enjoy football with fouls by rival teams. The Brazilian coach noted that there is a tendency to concentrate on some players, which activates foul play.

Neymar has been fouled 53 times in the tournament since his first World Cup in 2014, which is at least 11 more than any other player. In their debut game in Qatar, he received more fouls than any other player, with nine against Serbia.

Neymar injury. Photo by Sport

Tite expressed his continued confidence that Neymar would make another appearance at the World Cup despite the Paris St. Germain forward’s absence from Brazil’s remaining group-stage games.

However, he is optimistic that Neymar will play for Brazil in Qatar.

“I believe Neymar and [injured defender] Danilo will play in the World Cup. I’m not in a position to speak about [medical information],” Tite told BBC Sports.

“I can say that, not only about Neymar, but also about Danilo, both of their situations have evolved, but we believe both will be available to play at the World Cup.”

Team Brazil will have to contend with the absence of their forward Neymar, who will miss two subsequent games at the Qatar World Cup over a ligament injury. The team doctor for Brazil determined that Neymar sustained ligament damage in his right ankle.

While receiving treatment, Neymar sat with his face coerced, and images revealed swelling in his right ankle. The injury, in his words, was among his hardest times in his football career.

He told Brazillian fans that the injury is part of his journey in life because nothing comes easy. An unbowed Neymar promised to rebound and be part of his team’s effort to clinch another World Cup title.

“Nothing in my life came easy and I’ve always had to work for my dreams and goals,” Neymar posted on Instagram.

He adds: “I have never wished anyone anything bad and always helped those who needed. I’m injured; yes it’s not nice, it will hurt but I’m sure I will have the chance to come back because I’ll do everything possible to help my country, my teammates and myself.”

Brazil head coach Tite. Photo by SportsNet

Due to ankle discomfort, Danilo, Brazil’s right defender, will also miss the following two games. According to Brazil team physician Rodrigo Lasmar, Neymar and Danilo underwent an MRI on Friday afternoon, finding ligament damage in their ankles.

Lasmar maintains that it’s crucial for the two players to maintain composure while he makes daily assessments. He explained that this approach is good for the remainder of the competition, with the goal being to get them back on the pitch.

Brazil’s second Group G match is against Switzerland on Monday (16:00 GMT), followed by a match against Cameroon on Friday (19:00 BST). Tite, the head coach of Brazil, stated after their victory over Serbia that they were “sure Neymar would continue playing at the World Cup.