Categories: News

Brazil's Neymar Out For Rest Of World Cup With Fractured Vertebra

Neymar, Brazil’s standout striker, will not be able to help his team continue on its run for a World Cup victory, as he’s been sidelined with a fractured vertebra.

Neymar Fractures Vertebra

In the World Cup quarterfinal game between Brazil and Columbia, a total of 54 fouls were called. One of those fouls, called late in the second half, was against Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga, who leveled Neymar with a knee to the back. Following the play, Neymar remained on his stomach, clearly in pain and reaching at his lower back. The 22-year-old standout was carried off the field on a stretcher.

Following the game, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, admitted that it was dubious that his best scorer would not be able to return to the pitch for their semifinal game against powerhouse Germany.

“He was crying out in pain,” Scolari said of Neymar in his post-match interview. “It won’t be easy for him to recover, based on what the doctor told us and the pain he’s in.”

Scolari’s concern was soon underscored by a report from the Brazil team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar. Lasmar delivered the crushing news that though Neymar would not require surgery to repair his back, he would need to be immobilized for three to four weeks in order for it to heal – therefore eliminating him from further play in the World Cup.

Juan Camilo Zuniga Addresses Neymar Foul

Zuniga admits that he was playing phyically in the match – which many blame the referee for allowing to get out of hand – but he has denied intentionally injurying Neymar.

"On the pitch I'm defending my shirt, my country, but I didn't expect him to fracture a vertebrae. He is a great talent for Brazil and for the world," he said, adding of the foul, "It's a normal action, I tried to shadow him. I was not thinking of hurting him. I was defending my countrys colours."

Throughout the early round of the 2014 World Cup, Neymar ably led the Brazilian squad to victory, netting four goals in the tournament and providing the corner kick assist on Thiago Silva’s header goal to give Brazil the early lead over Colombia Friday evening. Neymar’s injury occurred with just five minutes left in the game when Brazil was leading Columbia 2-1 after David Luiz scored on a free kick and James Rodriquez had put away a penalty kick to get Colombia back in the game.

Scolari remains optimistic that Brazil still has a chance at capturing the sixth World Cup victory for the country. “There are seven steps, and we’ve already climbed five,” he said after news of Neymar’s prognosis broke.

Not only will Neymar be out for the semifinal, but also the team’s centerback and captain, Silva, who will be missing due to yellow-card accumulation.

Brazil will face Germany in the semifinals Tuesday at 4 p.m. EST.

GET THE FREE uINTERVIEW iPHONE APP FOR LATEST NEWS UPDATES

For More World Cup News:

> Tim Howard Becomes A Hero After Performance In U.S. vs. Belgium World Cup Match

> USA Falls To Belgium In World Cup Round Of 16

> Luis Suarez Apologizes For Causing Giorgio Chiellini 'Physical Result Of A Bite'

> USA Loses To Germany, Still Advances To World Cup's Round Of 16

Chelsea Regan

Share
Published by
Chelsea Regan

Recent Posts

Kanye West Abruptly Exits Piers Morgan Interview After Host ‘Insults’ Him By Getting His X Follower Count Wrong

Rapper Kanye West abruptly ended an interview in a recent episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored…

12 hours ago

Bill Gates Commits To Donating Nearly All Of $200 Billion Fortune By 2045 To ‘Saving & Improving Lives Around The World’

Bill Gates has announced an ambitious plan to donate nearly all of his estimated $200 billion…

12 hours ago

Prince William Won’t Speak To Brother Prince Harry, Will Strip Him & Maghan Markle Of Titles When He Becomes King

Prince William has reportedly severed communication with his younger brother, Prince Harry, following a series of public…

13 hours ago

Hudson River Helicopter Disintegrated Before Crash That Killed 6 On Board, NTSB Report Finds

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has unveiled disturbing findings regarding…

13 hours ago

Ex-GOP Rep. George Santos Cries While Begging Trump To Pardon Him From His 7-Year Prison Sentence For Fraud

Former Rep. George Santos (R-New York) cried while urging President Donald Trump to pardon him…

18 hours ago

Biden Dismisses Suggestions Of His Cognitive Decline, Says He Could’ve Beaten Trump During ‘The View’ Interview

Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, appeared on The View to discuss Kamala Harris'…

19 hours ago