How to do without Neymar, how long will he be absent, it's serious doctor?
So many questions that sound like rituals for followers of PSG or the Brazilian team.
Still, the 30-year-old playmaker had been spared the glitches since the start of the season.
End of series.
Not spared by the opposing defense (9 faults suffered) during the Brazilian victory over Serbia (2-0), Thursday, he left the lawn of Lusail with a sprained right ankle, lateral ligament affected.
Length of his unavailability?
Unknown.
What is certain is that Ney will be missing against Switzerland on Monday (5 p.m.).
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The Brazilians, however, display
“100% confidence”
, like Marquinhos.
"We would obviously like to have Neymar and Danilo
(also touched against Serbia and forfeited against Switzerland),
but we are ready and confident,"
he swears.
A matter of taste
Moreover, this is not the first time that the Seleção has to do without “Ney” at the World Cup, or with a diminished Neymar.
We remember his terrible back injury in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, against Colombia, or his random form in 2018, after a serious ankle injury, already.
“It is important that those who will return to their place are ready so that we give the best of ourselves.
I think that with the players we have, we will be able to maintain the level”
, insists “Marqui”, sure of himself.
In the middle, Tite could bet on the former Lyonnais Bruno Guimaraes, the Mnonien Fred or the ex-Monegasque Fabinho.
Question of taste, profile, tactics.
“We have already decided, we know who will start.
But I won't tell you
,” smiled the coach, who could also trust the experienced Dani Alves (39) on the right.
“Brazil depends on all his talents. Neymar is a star, a very talented player, but we are counting on the other players too”
, insists the one who will return his apron at the end of the World Cup and who takes the opportunity to demand that the players be protected by the referees.
“I want to recognize these two mistakes
,” he said again, regretting not having brought Neymar and Danilo out earlier.
"I believe they will come back, that's my opinion.
After all, I'm not a doctor.
But the medical reports give me hope for the two players”
, he assures without further details.
What a beautiful world
One thing is certain: Brazil is not lacking in talent.
We saw Richarlison at work against Serbia, with a brace to guide the Seleçao on the road to success.
We know the qualities of Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Jesus, Raphinha or Rodrygo to name a few.
What beautiful people.
Enough to clinch a sixth star without Neymar?
Maybe not.
To rule out Switzerland and Cameroon?
Without a doubt.
“We have several options
, slips Cesar Sampaio, assistant to Tite.
Neymar is a leader.
We count on him.
But very often, we have already seen a supporting role steal the show in the movies.
This may be the case in this World Cup…”
In the meantime, the leading role will have to take its troubles patiently.
Grit one's teeth.
Biting his brakes.
He's only too used to it…
“He was sad after the match, that's normal.
It is a dream for him to make the World Cup.
Now he is injured… We understand very well how he feels.
But he is in treatment with the physio 24 hours a day, he works hard, and it shows his desire to be in good shape.
I don't know how long it will take.
I hope it will be quick and that he will soon be in good physical and mental shape.
But he is doing very well today.
It's very important to have a good state of mind when you're injured in order to recover better.
He is very confident about his eventual recovery.
I don't know if there is a timetable”
, explains Marquinhos.
We understand that there is no established program for Neymar Jr. But the game does not wait.