Neymar, Brazil’s Star Player, Out With an Injury
Brazil legend Ronaldinho is out with a herniated disc in his low back and has undergone an operation on the issue, reports the Associated Press. The 34-year-old captain was sidelined for 4½ weeks, missing the 2014 World Cup and the last two Copa America tournaments.
“Neymar has made a significant recovery and this afternoon underwent an operation on his herniated disc,” said team physician Dr. Antonio Luiz Marques.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said that he was still hopeful that the world’s greatest player would be back to training within a few days. He said that the team would remain strong and focused after Neymar’s operation and would look for a miracle to happen.
While Neymar will miss the 2014 World Cup, Brazil has continued to advance in the tournament with a 4-2 aggregate semifinal win over Belgium. The match played in the nation’s capital, Brasilia, ended in a tense scoreless draw.
For now, Scolari says Neymar is out but is expected to return to action.
“When you have a footballer who has so much talent, you can be quite sure that when he recovers, Neymar will be very, very fit again,” he said.
Neymar has returned to training and could return to the national team, said Scolari.
“You never can exclude the worst scenario but he is recovering more and more, he is doing very well,” he said. “I have to be patient and he has to be patient.”
Scolari said the club will have to figure out what Neymar’s role will be in the team and then will work out his playing time.
“We will have him in the team but it is difficult because he is such a great player, he is not only the best in the world, he’s the best in the world, he plays in all the positions and that is difficult in the team because everybody knows what he is famous for and he