Brazil captain Neymar suffered a sprained ankle in his team’s World Cup win over Serbia on Thursday and faces a medical assessment in the next 48 hours, the national team doctor said after the match.
Doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said the Brazilian superstar suffered the injury after a collision with his opponent.
“We need to wait 24 to 48 hours to have a better assessment,” Lasmar said.
Coach Tite said the Paris Saint-Germain player initially stayed on the field after hurting his ankle “because the team needed him”.
He also moved to play down fears that the 30-year-old could face a lay-off long enough to end his World Cup campaign.
“You can be certain that Neymar is going to play in the World Cup,” he said.
His first World Cup in 2014 ended in agony as he suffered a fractured bone in his back in Brazil’s quarter-final win over Colombia.
The Brazilian talisman also missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle.
In 2021 Neymar missed roughly 10 weeks of the French season after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle following an injury in PSG’s victory over Saint Etienne.
