Brazilians are praying for Neymar's swift recovery from what looked like a
serious back injury after he was stretchered off against Colombia.
The Brazil
star was clattered into from behind by Colombia defender Juan Zuniga and
sustained a heavy blow to his lower back.
Zuniga's
knee appeared to connect with the base of Neymar's spine in a clumsy challenge,
and the forward was in clear pain as he stayed down after the collision.
The
22-year-old was then stretchered off and taken straight to a nearby hospital in
Fortaleza for X-rays and further examinations.
The host
nation will be holding thumbs that Neymar's admission to hospital and the
urgent calls of the medical staff to bring out the stretcher were merely
precautions ahead of Brazil's semi-final encounter with Germany.
Brazilian
Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar revealed the unfortunate news to Brazil's SportTV:
"Neymar
had a scan, which confirmed he had fractured his third vertebra. It's not
serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he’s in pain and he’ll
need to immobilise it to recover. He’ll have to have it immobilised with a belt
for a few weeks to be able to get back to full mobility. Unfortunately, he's
not going to be able to play." he said
Coach Luis
Felipe Scolari is already without influential centre-back Thiago Silva, who
netted the opening goal against Colombia but was then booked later in the game
for unsporting behaviour.
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