Sports

Injury forces Brazil’s Neymar out of Copa America

Published

6 years ago

June 6, 2019

Superstar Neymar was ruled out of the Copa America Thursday after tearing his right ankle ligament during Brazil ’ s 2 – 0 friendly win over Qatar .

“ Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will neither be fit nor have time to recuperate sufficiently to participate ” in the tournament , the Brazilian Football Confederation ( CBF) said in a statement .
The injury to the world ’ s most expensive footballer is a big blow to the hosts ’ preparations for South American continental championship , which begins in just over a week ’ s time .

A distraught – looking Neymar was seen covering his face with his hands as he sat on the bench after hobbling from the field in the 20 th minute at Brasilia ’ s Mane Garrincha Stadium on Wednesday night.

A large ice pack had been strapped to the Paris Saint – Germain striker ’ s lower right leg while two members of Brazil ’ s support staff carried him from the pitch .
The injury comes just nine days before Brazil ’ s opening Copa America game against Bolivia .

Minutes after Richarlison had opened the scoring in the 17 th minute , Neymar was substituted with the CBF saying he had suffered “ a ligament rupture at the level of the right ankle” .
AFP