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Neymar faced criticism for skipping a semifinal with Santos after being spotted at Carnival last week. On Sunday, Santos were defeated 2-1 by their long-time rivals Corinthians in the semifinals of the Sao Paulo state championship, with Neymar remaining on the bench for the entire match. The following day, he stated he had a minor injury but did not provide further details. A few days prior, the striker was photographed at Rio de Janeiro’s Sambadrome, the iconic venue for the lavish Carnival parade. Having rejoined his childhood club Santos in January, Neymar attended the Carnival parade just hours after being substituted in the second half of another Sao Paulo state championship match on March 2 due to what appeared to be a left thigh injury. BCL Football: Arambagh KS beat Dhaka Rangers FC 1-0 He had only recently recovered from an ACL tear that had kept him sidelined for over a year. Santos did not disclose any injury concerns regarding Neymar ahead of Sunday’s semifinal. “All I wanted was to be on the pitch and support my teammates in any way possible,” Neymar posted on Instagram. “But last Thursday, I experienced discomfort that kept me from playing. We conducted a test this morning, and I felt it again.” Santos coach Pedro Caixinha explained that, despite the injury, he asked Neymar to stay on the bench. “It was only discomfort, but it prevented him from playing. I requested that he remain with the squad, and he agreed,” Caixinha said at a press conference following his team’s elimination. “He’s a unique player, gifted and full of positive energy. Neymar suffered a lot from not being able to participate in the match.” However, many pundits accused Neymar of not prioritising his career as he attempts to revive it at the Brazilian club following stints at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal. “He chose Carnival over the semifinal,” remarked well-known pundit Walter Casagrande Jr. on his social media platforms. “Neymar’s behaviour over the past five or six years has resurfaced. He keeps prioritising pleasure and entertainment over professionalism.” Santos president Marcelo Teixeira told local media that Neymar underwent multiple examinations between Friday and Sunday, all confirming he was unfit to play against Corinthians. “As a precaution, we decided not to field him,” Teixeira stated. “This isn’t about the national team; he simply wasn’t in the right condition to play. He is still in the recovery process, and we must acknowledge that.” Spanish newspaper Marca described Neymar’s week as “his saddest Carnival yet—discarded by Barcelona, left on the bench, and eliminated.” In response to the intense criticism surrounding their star player, Santos later released a video showing an emotional Neymar addressing his teammates in the dressing room before the semifinal. “It is incredibly difficult to be sidelined at moments like this. I am doing my best to stay composed and not show how much sadness I feel,” Neymar said. “If you can, run for me. I wish I could be out there, running for each of you. You have no idea how desperate I feel inside.” Since his return, the 33-year-old forward has scored three goals and provided three assists in seven matches for Santos. His performances were enough to convince Brazil coach Dorival Jr. to recall him for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. Bangladesh footballers, camping in Saudi Arabia, perform Umrah Neymar is expected to return to action for Santos on March 29, following the international break, in the opening round of the Brazilian league against Vasco da Gama. Santos earned promotion back to the top tier after being relegated in 2023.

After nearly 12 years playing for European giants and a short stint in Saudi Arabia, Neymar has made his return to professional football in Brazil. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star came off the bench at the start of the second half for his boyhood club Santos during their Campeonato Paulista match against Botafogo SP on Wednesday at Estádio Vila Belmiro. Santos led 1-0 when Neymar entered the game, but a second-half equalizer saw the match end in a 1-1 draw. "I love Santos. I can’t describe what I felt stepping onto this pitch again," Neymar said post-match. Named the game's best player, he admitted he was not yet at peak fitness but took positives from his first match in over three months. "I need minutes, more games. I'm not at 100 percent yet, but I’ll improve in four or five matches," he added. Real Madrid's woes on defence compounded by new Alaba injury Neymar, who turned 33 on Wednesday, rejoined Santos on January 31 with a six-month contract that the club hopes to extend through the 2026 World Cup. He previously won six titles with Santos, including the 2011 Copa Libertadores. Once regarded as one of the world’s best players, Neymar left Santos for Barcelona in 2013 before making a record-breaking €222 million ($262 million) transfer to PSG in 2017. In 2023, he moved to Saudi club Al-Hilal but suffered an ACL injury while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier. Despite his absence, Al-Hilal won the Saudi league, but the club omitted him from their squad for the second half of the season. With no place in manager Jorge Jesus' plans, speculation of Neymar’s return to Santos gained momentum before his comeback. His contract with Al-Hilal, reportedly one of the most lucrative in football, was due to expire after the FIFA Club World Cup in July. Sources: Agencies

Saudi football club Al-Hilal announced on Monday that its contract with Brazilian striker Neymar has been terminated by mutual agreement. Details of the termination were not disclosed. Neymar, once celebrated as one of the world's top players, made only seven appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing two assists. The 32-year-old has been out of action since October 2023 due to an ACL injury sustained while playing for Brazil. Despite his limited contributions, Neymar was part of the squad that secured the Saudi Pro League title last season. His contract with Al-Hilal had been set to run until after this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for June 15 to July 13 in the United States. The club, in a social media statement, expressed gratitude for Neymar’s contributions during his brief stint. Barcelona's attack flourishes under Flick, setting records in all competitions Neymar joined Al-Hilal in August 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain for a transfer fee of €90 million ($94 million). However, his tenure was cut short after suffering the most severe injury of his career. Neymar made a brief return to play in October, with his last appearance in November. Media reports speculated that coach Jorge Jesus might not rely on him for the remainder of the season. Day Crespo, Neymar's spokeswoman in Brazil, stated that the player would comment on his future plans later. Reports suggest Neymar and his father are exploring a potential six-month return to Santos, his boyhood club where he first gained fame before joining Barcelona in 2013. Santos fans, eager for his return, have circulated tributes, including a video featuring the voice of the late Pelé urging Neymar to don the club's iconic No. 10 jersey again. Neymar achieved six titles with Santos, including the 2010 Brazilian Cup and the prestigious 2011 Copa Libertadores. However, during a June visit to Brazil, Neymar dismissed speculation about a return to Santos, citing his existing contract with Al-Hilal. In January, Neymar hinted at a possible return to Brazilian football, naming Flamengo and Santos as potential destinations. While he expressed love for his boyhood club, he also admitted interest in playing for Flamengo, Brazil's most popular team. Santos officials have expressed interest in Neymar's return but denied rumors that he and his father plan to purchase the club’s soccer department. Man City rising after win over Chelsea while Liverpool stays 6 points clear Brazilian national team coach Dorival Júnior recently confirmed that Neymar is still not fit for international duty. The striker is expected to miss Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Argentina in March. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 125 matches, remains focused on regaining full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America, which could be his final tournament. Earlier this month, Neymar sparked controversy by suggesting that his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé felt “jealous” after Lionel Messi joined the club in 2021. Neymar also attributed PSG’s struggles in key matches to the clash of egos among its star players.

The Al-Hilal player, who has recently resumed training with his Saudi League team, is set to elevate his off-field investments by acquiring a private island. Currently, he has been renting the island, Ilhao do Japao, at a cost of €50,000 per day. Neymar has faced challenges over the past year due to a serious knee injury that has kept him sidelined. While he has returned to training, it is anticipated that he won't be back in action for several months. The winger is taking a cautious approach to his recovery to prolong his career. Meanwhile, he is continuing to enjoy a lavish lifestyle and pursue investments, including the island purchase. Read: Coach says Neymar is not ready for an imminent return to Al-Hilal The island, Ilha do Japao, is reportedly being sold for around €9 million. Brazilian journalist Leo Dias revealed that Neymar previously rented the island to explore it thoroughly before making the purchase. The current owner, a Canadian investor, has lowered the price by €3 million, attracting interest from Neymar and other potential buyers. Given its proximity to Rio de Janeiro, Neymar appears to have a particular interest. The island can accommodate up to ten guests and features a heliport, providing a 35-minute journey from a popular coastal town. Alternatively, it can be reached by boat. Spanning approximately 3 hectares, it includes an Indonesian-style main villa, two suites, a koi pond, and three sea-view bungalows. Read more: Lionel Messi scores 2 in Argentina's World Cup qualifying win over Peru; Brazil's Neymar injured This will not be Neymar's first luxury acquisition; he already owns a six-bedroom mansion in the Mangaratiba resort area and previously purchased a glass-fronted palace near São Paulo for €3 million in late 2021.

Neymar became the top goal scorer for Brazil's national team after surpassing the total of three-time World Cup winner Pelé on Friday. The goal that put the 31-year-old Neymar on the top of Brazil's scoring record with 78 came in the 61st minute in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia in the Amazon city of Belém. It was Brazil's fourth goal of the match in a 5-1 win, with the last goal of the game also being scored by Neymar during injury time. Read : Neymar completes Saudi move to Al Hilal after 6 seasons with Paris Saint-Germain Neymar's record-breaking goal came after a low cross into the penalty box, which the striker finished with accuracy from close range. He celebrated with a punch in the air, as Pelé usually did. Earlier, the Al-Hilal striker missed a penalty in the 17th minute, which goalkeeper Billy Viscarra saved. Neymar's second goal in the match came in similar fashion near the final whistle, with another low cross by Raphinha. Brazil's soccer confederation considers Pelé as its top goal scorer with 95 goals in 114 matches. FIFA does not count goals the three-time World Cup winner had at national team friendlies against clubs. Read : Neymar’s publicity representative Robin Miah meets Brazilian envoy in Dhaka "78 times Neymar," the Brazilian soccer body said on social media after Neymar's record-breaking goal. "Neymar scores the fifth for the Selecao," it said after the striker's second goal against Bolivia. Pelé's Foundation, however, acknowledged Neymar's achievement. "Congratulations, Neymar Jr, for surpassing the King in goals for the Brazilian National Team in official FIFA matches," it said on social media. "Surely Pelé is applauding you today!" Pelé died from cancer on Dec. 29 in Sao Paulo at the age of 82. Striker Rodrygo, who also scored two goals against Bolivia, said he's still very much a Neymar fan. "Neymar is very much a hero of mine," Rodrygo said. "This will be in my memory, this was a very special day." Read : Messi scores from a free kick to give Argentina 1-0 win in South American World Cup qualifying Neymar's most-recent match for Brazil before the victory over Bolivia was the World Cup quarterfinal loss last year to Croatia. He left Qatar with doubts about his future in the national team and did not play the Selecao's first three games this year. New Brazil coach Fernando Diniz said Neymar came to play for Brazil "to score goals, break records, show that he is very much willing to live this (the national team.)" "He is a great hero," Diniz said. "People have to recognize it and accept it. He doesn't do anything to get this adoration he gets from the crowd, it is because of the natural talent he has."

Striker Folarin Balogun equalized deep into stoppage time as Reims earned a 1-1 draw at French league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, keeping PSG three points ahead of second-place Lens. Balogun, who began his career at Premier League team Arsenal and stood out throughout the game with his movement, latched onto a long pass in the sixth minute of injury time. He easily beat veteran defender Sergio Ramos for pace before confidently shooting past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was the 21-year-old forward's 11th league goal of the season and one less than PSG's scorer Neymar. Neymar struck in the 51st to move one behind league top scorer and teammate Kylian Mbappé, before PSG had midfielder Marco Verratti sent off for a dangerous tackle on Japan winger Junya Ito in the 59th. Verratti made his return from a thigh injury when he came on for the second half. Read more: Late goals help PSG beat 3rd-tier Châteauroux in French Cup Midtable Reims extended its unbeaten run to 12 games, which included holding PSG to a 0-0 draw at home in October, and was the better side in the first half. Donnarumma almost gave a goal away after 23 seconds when he hacked a back pass straight to the opposition but got away with it. Balogun went close midway through the first half and teammate Marshall Munetsi — a midfielder with Zimbabwe — also caused problems for PSG's static defense. Referee Ruddy Buquet awarded Reims a penalty shortly after Neymar's goal for a foul on Balogun but changed his mind following a video review. In the end, Balogun had his say. PSG has won only one of its last four league games, losing two, and coach Christophe Galtier acknowledged there is a problem. “We were soporific in the first half, we were quickly split in two and we were on the back foot,” he said. “We abandoned our defense.” Since the World Cup, PSG has won only two of its five league games and both have been against strugglers. PSG needed an injury-time penalty from Mbappé to beat Strasbourg 2-1, and it beat rock-bottom Angers 2-0. With a much tougher test against Bayern Munich approaching in the round of 16 of the Champions League, PSG needs to improve fast. Either side of playing Bayern on Feb. 14, PSG has two away games at bitter rival Marseille, in the French Cup and in the league. Marseille is only five points behind PSG in third spot. Earlier, striker Gaetan Laborde scored the winner as Nice beat Lille 1-0 to end the northern side's six-game unbeaten run. Laborde netted in the 34th minute after Badredine Bouanani intercepted a poor back pass and set him up for a first-time finish. Lille had not lost in the league since Oct. 30. Read more: Leader PSG loses 3-1 at Lens for 1st defeat; Monaco in 4th TEMPERS FLARE Alexandre Lacazette notched his 12th league goal of the season as Lyon won 2-0 at Corsican side Ajaccio to move into ninth place. Tempers flared after the game as Lyon coach Laurent Blanc grabbed Ajaccio coach Olivier Pantaloni's face after they had shaken hands, and shoved him away following a verbal exchange. Pantaloni, who played for Ajaccio as a striker in the 1990s, then walked over to Lyon's bench and clashed with Lyon's goalkeeper coach Rémy Vercoutre. Security officials had to separate them as angry home fans banged on the dugout. Lacazette cut short his post-game television interview when a lighter thrown from the crowd landed near him. Vercoutre had to be escorted away as fans insulted him and some tried to get on the field. The visitors took the lead in the 20th when 20-year-old midfielder Johann Lepenant turned in Bradley Barcola's pass. Lacazette, who re-joined hometown Lyon in the summer after five seasons in the Premier League with Arsenal, scored his 144th goal overall for the club in the 72nd. France's 2018 World Cup winner Corentin Tolisso and Argentina's World Cup-winning left back Nicolás Tagliafico combined to set him up. OTHER MATCHES Dutch forward Thijs Dallinga scored twice for Toulouse in a 2-1 win at struggling Strasbourg. Veteran striker Kevin Gameiro put the Alsace side ahead in the 20th, but Dallinga equalized for Toulouse five minutes later and struck again early in the second half. Strikers Jérémy Le Douaron and Steve Mounie scored first-half goals for Brest in a 4-0 home win against bottom side Angers. Midfielders Franck Honorat and Pierre Lees-Melou scored after the break. English forward Stephy Mavididi scored both goals as Montpellier got a much-needed 2-0 win at 19th-place Auxerre to move away from relegation trouble, and Clermont drew 0-0 at home to Nantes.

The joy of scoring one of his biggest goals for Brazil quickly turned into tears after yet another disappointing elimination for Neymar with the national team. The World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia was a tough one to take for the Brazil forward, and it could mean the end of his time with the national team. Neymar remains without a major title with Brazil, and it’s unclear if he will try to be back for a fourth World Cup four years from now, when he will be 34 years old. “It would be too hasty to come here and say that this is it, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Neymar said after Brazil’s 4-2 loss to Croatia in a penalty shootout on Friday. “I have to take some time to think about it. I’m not closing any doors to the Selecao, but I’m also not saying 100% that I want to be back.” Before the tournament in Qatar, Neymar hadn’t ruled out this being his last World Cup appearance. “Honestly, I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to talk about it right now,” he said Friday. “Now it’s time to go home and lament.” Not winning the title could keep him motivated to return, as for now his only triumphs with the national team remain the 2013 Confederations Cup title and the Olympic gold medal from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Read: Croatia end Brazil's dream of 6th World Cup Neymar theoretically has until March to make a decision about his future, because that’s when South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is expected to begin. It looked like Neymar was going to send Brazil to the semifinals for the first time since 2014 when he scored in extra time to move into a tie with Pelé as the national team’s all-time scoring leader with 77 goals. But Croatia equalized in the final minutes and won the shootout after Rodrygo and Marquinhos failed to convert their penalties for the five-time champions. Neymar didn’t even get a chance to help in the shootout because Brazil coach Tite had reserved him to take the fifth penalty, which never materialized. “It’s hard to say that it would have made a difference (if I had taken one of the early penalties),” he said. “We can’t single out anyone. We win together and we lose together.” Reaching the semifinals in Qatar could have meant redemption for Neymar after what happened at the 2014 tournament hosted by Brazil. He couldn’t play in the semifinals after hurting his back in the quarterfinal win against Colombia, and Brazil eventually lost to Germany 7-1. Four years later, Neymar and Brazil lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals. Read: Neymar ties Pelé’s all-time record with Brazil at World Cup Neymar also missed the 2019 Copa America, which Brazil won at home, because of a right ankle problem. He survived another injury scare in Qatar after damaging ligaments in his right ankle in Brazil’s opening match. It wasn’t clear if he would be able to play again, but he ended up recovering for the round of 16, when he scored one of Brazil’s goals in the 4-1 win over South Korea. Neymar joined Brazil as an 18-year-old in 2010 and quickly became the nation’s top star. If he leaves now, there is no clear replacement for him. Vinícius Júnior and maybe Rodrygo — his immediate substitute in Qatar — could potentially try to fill that role. Most fans hope Neymar will be back, and so does the man whose record he tied on Friday. “Keep inspiring us,” Pelé said in a message to Neymar. “I will keep punching the air with joy for every goal you score, as I did in every match I saw you on the pitch. Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport.”

Neymar walked off the field with teammate Dani Alves by his side, tears still rolling down the Brazil forward's cheeks. Other players had already tried to console Neymar as he cried while sitting near midfield, head down, hiding his face. There wasn't much they could say to get the team's biggest star to lift his head up. Again there was disappointment instead of joy at the end of a World Cup for Neymar. Again he couldn't lead Brazil to a major title. It was his third failure at a World Cup, and his only triumphs with the national team are the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, when Brazil won its first gold medal in soccer. Neymar said it wasn't the time to talk about his future with the national team. Read more: Croatia end Brazil's dream of 6th World Cup “Honestly, I don't know what's going to happen. It's hard to talk about it right now,” he said. “It would be too hasty to come here and say that this is it, but I can't guarantee anything. I have to take some time to think about it. I'm not closing any doors to the Seleção, but I'm also not saying 100% that I want to be back." Neymar scored Friday to move level with Pelé as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 77 goals, but the Seleção ended up losing to Croatia 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals after the match finished 1-1 after extra time. Neymar never had a chance to take a penalty after Rodrygo and Marquinhos missed their spot kicks. “He would have taken the fifth penalty,” Brazil coach Tite said. “That's the one with the most pressure, and he would be the player with the most quality and mental preparedness to take the shot.” Neymar scored his goal in extra time with a right-footed shot after getting through the defense and dribbling past the Croatia goalkeeper to match Pelé’s record. He entered the tournament two goals shy of the milestone, and scored his 76th in the round of 16 against South Korea after returning from an ankle injury. The 82-year-old Pelé showed his support to Neymar from his hospital bed in Brazil, where he was improving while being treated for a respiratory infection that was aggravated by COVID-19. “I saw you grow, I cheered for you every day and I can finally congratulate you for reaching my number of goals with Brazil. We both know that this is more than a figure,” he wrote on Instagram. “Our biggest duty as athletes is to inspire. Inspire our teammates of today, the next generations and, above all, everyone who loves our sport. “Unfortunately, this is not the happiest day for us,” Pelé added. “My record was set almost 50 years ago, and nobody had managed to get near it until now. You got there, kid. That shows how great your achievement is.” Brazil was close to returning to the semifinals for the first time since 2014, but instead Neymar looked in anguish from midfield as Croatia substitute Bruno Petkovic equalized in the 117th minute. Neymar also didn't play in the last four of the tournament that Brazil hosted eight years ago. He suffered a serious back injury in the quarterfinals against Colombia and then saw his teammates lose 7-1 to Germany. The 30-year-old Neymar scored his 77 goals in 124 matches for Brazil. Pelé’s goals came in 92 appearances with the national team between 1957 and 1971. Ronaldo, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, is third on the list with 62 goals in 98 matches. Pelé won three World Cups, including when he was 17 years old in the 1958 tournament. He also helped Brazil win the World Cup in 1962 and 1970. Read more: Neymar ties Pelé’s all-time record with Brazil at World Cup Neymar first played for Brazil as an 18-year-old in 2010. He is the only other Brazil player other than Pelé and Ronaldo to score in three different World Cups. Neymar damaged ligaments in his ankle in Brazil’s opening win against Serbia, and his participation in the rest of the tournament was in doubt because of the injury. He made it back to the starting lineup after missing two group games, and played about 80 minutes in Brazil’s 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday. The forward has had right ankle problems in the past, being among a series of injuries since the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Another right ankle sprain forced him to miss the 2019 Copa América, which Brazil won.

With Neymar out for at least another match, Brazil coach Tite must now start thinking about a replacement - and this time he has plenty of options. Brazil is not as Neymar-dependent as it used to be, and Tite could go several different ways to replace the Paris Saint-Germain forward for Monday’s Group G match against Switzerland. Neymar hurt his right ankle in Brazil’s opening 2-0 win against Serbia on Thursday. He has ligament damage and team doctors have not given a timetable for his recovery — or said if he will be able to recover at all. Tite brought nine forwards to the World Cup, and could also add a midfielder as Neymar’s replacement if wanted. The most straightforward option would be to use Rodrygo in Neymar’s position, keeping Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior and Richarlison in attack. Rodrygo playes more as an attacker at Real Madrid, but he has trained in Neymar’s “No. 10” playmaking position while with Brazil in Qatar. Read: France vs Denmark FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch online and on TV Channel, predicted XI Another alternative would be to put an extra midfielder in Neymar’s position — Manchester United’s Fred or Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, for example — freeing up attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who played closer to defensive midfielder Casemiro against Serbia. Another attacking midfielder available to Tite is Everton Ribeiro, while the other forwards in the squad are Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Gabriel Martinelli and Pedro. Neymar attracted most of the attention from the tough Serbian defense, which kept roughing him up from the start. He was fouled nine times during the game, the most by any player at the World Cup in the first round of matches in the group stage. Read: Poland vs Saudi Arabia FIFA World Cup 2022 LIVE Streaming: Where and how to watch online and on TV Channel, predicted XI Neymar is Brazil’s second-best all-time scorer with 75 goals, two behind Pelé’s record with the national team. The last time he was out at a World Cup — because of a back injury sustained in the quarterfinals against Colombia in 2014 — Brazil went on to get embarrassed by Germany 7-1 in the semifinals. Tite won’t be able to count on right back Danilo, who also sprained his ankle against Serbia. Danilo’s replacement will likely be veteran Daniel Alves, although Tite could also use central defender Éder Militão in the position. Brazil, seeking its first World Cup title in two decades, faces Cameroon in its last group match. It can reach the round of 16 in advance with a win on Monday if Cameroon doesn’t defeat Serbia in the other group match.

Neymar sat crying on the bench and later left the stadium limping with a swollen right ankle after Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Serbia at the World Cup on Thursday. Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Neymar sprained his ankle. “We put ice on it while he was on the bench and then in physiotherapy,” Lasmar said. “There is no test scheduled for now but we will schedule it if needed. He will be under observation. We will know more tomorrow.” Brazil coach Tite said he was “confident that Neymar will continue playing at the World Cup,” but Lasmar said it was too early to comment on the extent of the injury. Read more: FIFA World Cup: Richarlison's second-half brace give Brazil 2-0 win over Serbia Neymar was also injured at the 2014 World Cup. Playing at home in Brazil, his tournament ended with a back injury in the quarterfinals against Colombia when he had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. Brazil ended up losing to Germany 7-1 in the semifinals. Neymar, who was fouled nine times in the match against Serbia, got injured in the second half and was substituted in the 79th minute. Tite said he stayed on the field for 11 minutes before asking to be replaced. “He overcame the injury because the team needed him,” Tite said. “I didn’t even see that he had been injured. He just kept playing.” Neymar was in tears on the bench as doctors began treating him in the final minutes of the game at Lusail Stadium. He pulled his shirt over his head as doctors taped ice around his foot. He went into the locker room limping, and also limped as he left the stadium without speaking to reporters. “The most important thing for us it to have him at 100% for the next match,” said Brazil striker Richarlison, who scored both goals on Thursday, including one after a buildup started by Neymar. “When I get to the hotel I’m going to go and see how he is doing.” Neymar was tackled hard a few times during the match and was limping and grimacing before having to leave the field. He was the most fouled player on the field. Read more: Ronaldo makes history, becomes first male player to score at five World Cups The 30-year-old Neymar has yet to win a major title with the national team. He helped the “Seleção” win the 2013 Confederations Cup and its first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. With 75 goals for the national team, he is two shy of Pelé’s scoring record.