Neymar will miss Brazil’s final World Cup group match against Cameroon, while Alex Sandro has joined Neymar and Danilo on the injured list.
Neymar of PSG hobbled off the field in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia last week with a lateral ligament injury to his right ankle.
The 30-year-old sat out Monday’s win over Switzerland, in which Casemiro scored a late winner, but no official timetable for his recovery was provided.
However, team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed on Tuesday that Neymar will not play against Cameroon, despite Brazil needing a point to secure first place in Group G.
Danilo, who has an ankle injury similar to Neymar’s, will also miss Friday’s match at Lusail Stadium, and Alex Sandro is out with a hip injury.
Rodrigo Lasmar gives Brazil injury update
“After yesterday’s game, Alex Sandro felt pain in his left hip and was unable to continue in the game,” Lasmar said.
“This morning he was reassessed. We took him for an MRI test, which showed a muscle injury in the left hip muscle. The player will not be able to participate in the next match.
“But he is still undergoing treatment so that we can recover him as soon as possible.
“Danilo and Neymar are still recovering from ankle injuries. Each with a different treatment because they are different injuries.”
Serbian players fouled Neymar nine times, one less than Brazil’s World Cup record of ten set against Switzerland in 2018.
He was fouled 44 times in total between the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, once every 21 minutes, more than any other player on at least 25 occasions.
Brazil’s World Cup record
Brazil became the first team in World Cup history to go unbeaten in 17 consecutive group-stage matches, dating back to 1998, with their victory over Switzerland.