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#FootballFever | Neymar undergoing treatment to ankle injured at World Cup

Published:Friday | November 25, 2022 | 9:29 AM
Brazil's Neymar grabs his ankle after an injury during the World Cup group G football match between Brazil and Serbia, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday, November 24, 2022. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Brazil star Neymar underwent tests and was receiving treatment at the team's hotel Friday after injuring his right ankle in the 2-0 defeat of Serbia in their World Cup opener. The team did not give any detail on the extent of his injury.

Neymar sprained his ankle in the second half of a bruising match against Serbia on Thursday.

He was in tears while sitting on the bench and after the match limped off the field on his way to the locker room.

“Difficult game, but it was important to win,” Neymar said on his social media accounts not long after he left Lusail Stadium without talking to the media.

“Congratulations team, first step taken. Six more to go.”

In an Instagram story after the match, Neymar posted a text that mentioned the need to “have faith.”

“It's about believing that everything will be OK despite the chaos. It's the certainty that the best is yet to come. It's understanding that everything has its own timing,” the text said.

Brazil coach Tite had already expressed optimism about Neymar's condition.

“You can be sure that Neymar will still play in this World Cup,” he said after the match. “I'm certain about that.”

Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the game it was too early to know the extent of the injury. He said they started treating the injury the moment Neymar left the field, and continued after the match.

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