Neymar totally recovered from metatarsal injury, says Brazil's team doctor

Sport360 staff 01:09 24/06/2018
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  • Neymar has had an emotional return from injury for Brazil.

    Neymar has “totally recovered” from the injury that kept him out for three months at the end of the club season, according to Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

    “I would like everyone to understand Neymar’s situation, and that he no longer has any problem with his right foot,” Lasmar told journalists on Saturday at Brazil’s World Cup training base in Sochi.

    “He has totally recovered but he is still building up his rhythm and his confidence. He is feeling better with every game.”

    There were fears that he was still feeling the effects of the metatarsal fracture he’d suffered while on duty for Paris Saint-Germain in February after he limped out of training last week following Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their tournament opener.

    However, he started their second game and scored Brazil’s second goal in a 2-0 win over Costa Rica.

    “The problem with his left ankle is not something that worries us. Tomorrow (Sunday) he will train normally with the rest of the players,” Lasmar added.

    Concerns over Neymar’s fitness have also been heightened due to the treatment that has been meted out to the Brazil star in Russia, after he was fouled 10 times against Switzerland and another four times against Costa Rica.

    Lasmar echoed those complaints, saying, “Opponents commit fouls to try to stop him. We expect the refereeing to contain that.”

    Meanwhile, Juventus winger Douglas Costa, who came on at halftime of Brazil’s win over Costa Rica, has been ruled out of the team’s final group match, against Serbia, with a thigh injury.

    Brazil need to draw that game to secure their spot in the Round of 16.

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