Brazil are assured that Neymar will return to steer their bid to win a sixth World Cup regardless of the world’s most costly participant struggling an ankle harm of their opening match in Qatar. The Brazil captain got here off late on in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Serbia with what was later recognized as a sprained ankle and has since been dominated out of their second Group G outing towards Switzerland on Monday. Doubts have even been raised in some quarters that he may wrestle to function once more on the match, which finishes with the ultimate in Doha on December 18.

But defender Marquinhos, who can also be a teammate of the ahead at Paris Saint-Germain, mentioned Neymar has since been spending his days present process intensive physiotherapy in an try to recuperate full health as quickly attainable.

“At the time it was difficult for him and after the game he was sad which I think is normal given how much he has dreamt of this,” centre-back Marquinhos mentioned at a press convention within the Qatari capital on Sunday.

“Now, after the tests and the treatment, he is doing physiotherapy 24 hours a day which shows how much he wants to be back with us.

“We do not know when, however we hope it is as quickly as attainable.”

Brazil coach Tite insisted in the immediate aftermath of the win over Serbia that the 30-year-old Neymar would definitely play again at the tournament, but this time he was rather more measured when pressed on the subject of the superstar’s fitness, as well as that of right-back Danilo.

“I imagine that Neymar and Danilo are going to play once more at this World Cup. I do. But medically, clinically, I’m in no place to say something,” he admitted.

“I’ll maintain doing so, not only for Neymar but in addition Danilo. I imagine we’re going to have the ability to use them once more.”

A Brazil win against Switzerland at Doha’s Stadium 974 could be enough for them to secure a place in the last 16 with one group game to spare, depending on the result of the earlier Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia.

They would then play a last-16 tie on either December 5 or 6.

– Dani Alves to play? –

Danilo, the 31-year-old Juventus full-back, also suffered an ankle injury against Serbia and is expected to be replaced against the Swiss by either Real Madrid’s Eder Militao or the 39-year-old Dani Alves.

Yet it is the injury to Neymar that dominates all the talk in Brazil, a country which has become used to hanging on the fitness of its creative inspiration at the World Cup.

In 2014 he suffered a fractured bone in his back as Brazil beat Colombia in the quarter-finals and so missed the semi-final as the host nation went down 7-1 to Germany.

Four years ago he had to race to be fit in time for the World Cup in Russia and his impact on the tournament was limited as the Selecao lost in the quarter-finals to Belgium.

This time he is the leader of a Brazil side that is nevertheless packed with quality in attack and who won their opening game thanks to a brace from the Tottenham Hostpur forward Richarlison.

“Obviously we needed to have Neymar and Danilo. The coach needed all 26 gamers accessible for the World Cup. But we’re prepared and assured that we will present how sturdy the squad is, that we’re effectively educated and prepared for regardless of the match throws at us,” said Marquinhos.

“In a World Cup the workforce that begins the match shouldn’t be at all times the workforce that finishes it, due to accidents or as a result of some are taking part in higher than others.

“Everyone has an important role to play.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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