Sports

#WorldCup 2018: Neymar misses Brazil training amid fitness concerns

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2018

edujandon🏅

Neymar missed out of Brazil training on Monday following concerns about his left foot.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward was fouled 10 times during their 1-1 draw with Switzerland last Sunday.

It was his first competitive match since February when he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

The Brazilian football federation confirmed that Neymar, Paulinho and Thiago Silva did not participate in full training, but instead stayed in the gym or worked with the physiotherapist.

“[It is] nothing to worry about. It’s normal to do it after the match,” team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar said.

Phillipe Coutinho, who opened the scoring against Switzerland, said Brazil expect to be targeted by opponents.

“Yes, Switzerland hit us a lot… but all matches will be like this, I guess,” Coutinho told reporters.

“We’re talking about a World Cup so everybody will try to defend their game.

“Neymar is OK, of course. But, as you can see during the match, sometimes the opponents make turns to foul and in many passes when it’s not necessary to foul, you have it and the match gets paralysed – but that’s how it is.”

Brazil face Costa Rica on Friday in their second Group E game.