David Luiz is relishing the responsibility of leading Brazil out in their huge World Cup semi-final against Germany tonight.
As well as Neymar, the hosts will be without another key player in captain Thiago Silva, who was handed his second booking of the tournament during their quarter-final win over Colombia.
Brazil yesterday saw an appeal against Silva’s yellow card thrown out, meaning the team’s vice-captain will now take the armband.
Luiz is renowned for his madcap moments on the pitch, but he takes the responsibility of captaining his nation very seriously.
The hopes of around 200 million Brazilians rest on his shoulders, but he has no qualms about leading the side in Belo Horizonte.
“I’m ready,” Luiz insisted. “I’m vice-captain and this group is very easy to handle because everyone’s very down to earth. It won’t be a tough job at all.”
Luiz has the full support of his team-mate Hulk.
“He’s just the best,” the Zenit St Petersburg forward said. “He’s very caring and very attentive, no matter who he’s with. It’s not every day that you come across someone like him.
“The whole world knows what he has to offer on the pitch – and to my mind, he and Thiago (Silva) are the best defensive partnership in the world – but as his team-mates, we also know what a great person he is too.”
Bayern Munich’s Dante looks set to replace Silva at the heart of Brazil’s defence.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has a far harder decision to make on who should fill the huge gap left by Neymar’s absence.
Luis Gustavo will return after suspension, so Fernandinho or Paulinho could be pushed forward in a more advanced position.
Hernanes is another option open to the Brazil coach, but the more likely option would be to introduce either Willian or Bernard.
That call will rest with Scolari but skipper Luiz has vowed to go on and win the tournament for their striken superstar forward.
“It is always hard to accept when you are injured in big games,” Luiz said.
“With Neymar though we believe he was targeted – that is why we can’t just accept this injury as part of the game. He will be with us on the field in spirit and we will win this game not just for Brazil – but for our friend Neymar.
“We are so close to the final now, we are so close we have one hand on the trophy, but Germany is going to be a difficult game.
“They are not only very organised at the back – they also have a lot of creative players who can hurt you in attack. We must be at our best, but the belief is with Brazil now.”
