Luiz Felipe Scolari last night angrily claimed that Neymar had been “hunted” out of the World Cup after it was confirmed that Brazil’s star player has suffered a fractured vertebra and will miss the rest of the competition.
A knee in the back by Colombia’s Juan Zuniga ended Neymar’s match in the 88th minute and, following checks at a local hospital in Fortaleza, the prognosis was bleak.
“Neymar has a broken vertebra — he’s expected to be out for four to six weeks,” Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told SportTV.
Brazil’s players were quick to come to the support of their colleague but were last night describing the challenge by Zuniga as careless rather than malicious.
Full-back Maicon said: “We must give Neymar all our support but it is complicated now, at this stage of a World Cup.”
Thiago Silva paid tribute to his team-mate. “They take your dream of playing the World Cup semi final and final. I love you my brother Neymar. We’ll fight for you.”
Zuniga did not receive even a caution for the high challenge on Neymar, while Brazil captain Thiago Silva is now also suspended for the Germany match after a soft booking for impeding Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
“Not even a yellow card, nothing,” said Brazil manager Scolari. “Then Silva gets a yellow card for walking past the goalkeeper. It’s hard to understand.
“Everyone knows Neymar would be hunted. Three matches that has been happening but no one thinks that’s the case, they only think Germany is hunted, not Neymar. We are in a slightly difficult position for the match against Germany but we have great players. If anything has to change we will do that and I think we will still have a great game.”
Zuniga defended himself against charges the tackle was reckless.
“It was a normal move,” he said. “I never meant to hurt a player. I was on the field, playing for the shirt from my country, not without the intent to injure. I was just defending my shirt.”
Neymar was visibly crying out in pain as he left the pitch last night and was immediately assessed by the Brazilian team doctor before being taken for further examination at a local hospital.
“He’s at a clinic, undergoing tests,” said Scolari. “He has already been sent to a private clinic. He was kneed on his lower back, he was crying out in pain. ”
There were a total of 54 fouls in last night’s match — the most at this World Cup — and Scolari admitted that his players were not totally innocent.
Fernandinho delivered some especially heavy tackles on Colombia playmaker James Rodríguez. “There were also moments when our players were tougher than they should be, we know that,” said Scolari. “We could have stopped ours and their violent game.”
