Teresopolis (Brazil): Neymar battled back tears as he urged his Brazil team mates to win the World Cup without him after suffering a fractured vertebrae in the quarterfinal win over Colombia.
“They took away my dream of playing in a World Cup final, but the dream of being a world champion is not over,” the emotional superstar said in comments released by the Brazilian Football Confederation as he left the team camp on Saturday.
Neymar’s agonising plight remained centre stage as FIFA announced it would consider action against Colombian defender Juan Zuniga who kneed the Brazilian in the back. Zuniga apologised to Neymar but insisted he had not deliberately hurt the star striker.
“Life moves on. I am sure my team mates will do everything possible so that we can achieve our dream of being champions,” Neymar said in a video released by the federation.
“It was also my dream to play in a World Cup final. It will not be this time, but I am sure we will overcome this and we will all be able to celebrate being champions.”
Meanwhile, Brazilian team doctor Jose Luiz Runco called for World Cup referees to do more to protect players as he confirmed details of Neymar’s fractured third lumbar vertebrae, a bone in his lower back.
The injury was suffered in a challenge by Colombia defender Zuniga in Friday’s game, which Brazil won 2-1.
Meanwhile, Argentina are hoping for Angel di Maria to recover from a thigh injury in time for Wednesday’s semifinal clash against Netherlands.
The winger strained the back of his right thigh in the 1-0 win over Belgium. (AFP)
