My dream of being a champion isn't over, says Neymar

SAO PAULO - Injured Brazil forward Neymar thanked fans for their support on Saturday and said his team mates will do everything to keep his dream of winning the World Cup alive.

"My dream isn't over. It was interrupted by a play but it continues," Neymar, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a fractured vertebra, said in a video released by the Brazilian Soccer Federation.

"I'm certain that my team mates will do everything possible so that my dream, which is to be a champion, comes true.

"My dream was also to play in a World Cup final but this time it didn't work out," the 22-year-old said, his voice cracking with emotion.

"But God willing, they're going to win this, they're going to be champions, and I'm going to be by their side, with them. And all us Brazilians are going to be celebrating."

Neymar, who scored four goals in the tournament, suffered the back injury during Friday's 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia. Brazil will play Germany in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte.

Globo TV, the country's most popular network, broadcast Neymar's message during a live variety show on Saturday. The crowd gave it a standing ovation and many were in tears.

Neymar was strapped to a stretcher on Saturday when he was loaded into a helicopter to fly from the team's training base to his home on the coast near Sao Paulo.

But he was sitting and appeared to be comfortable in the video, and Brazil's team doctor said Neymar might be able to attend Tuesday's match as a fan.

"It will all depend on his pain," Jose Luiz Runco told reporters.

"If he's without pain and comfortable, nothing is forbidden and nothing will compromise his recovery. He just has to be seated, and comfortable with airplane travel."

Runco said recovery should be complete within 45 days, and that Neymar would be able to sit and walk in the meantime.

Several dozen fans gathered outside the forward's home in Guaruja to welcome him back, many carrying signs that said "Strength, Neymar."

His father came outside and applauded, giving the crowd a thumbs-up.

(Reporting by Brian Winter and Eduardo Simoes and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Teresopolis; editing by Ed Osmond)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Brazil's Neymar ruled out of World Cup with back injury

FORTALEZA, Brazil - Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out of the World Cup after fracturing a vertebra in his back in the closing stages of the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia on Friday in a major blow to the host nation.

Neymar, who has scored four goals in the tournament, will miss the semi-final against Germany in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday and the final should they progress. He is expected to be out for several weeks.

"Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play," said Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

"It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he'll need to immobilise it to recover," Lasmar said after the player was taken straight to hospital from the stadium in Fortaleza.

Neymar, Brazil's poster boy and one of the world's most marketable players, has been driving his country's bid for a sixth world title with his goals and creative talent.

He went down after a challenge by Colombia's Juan Zuniga in the 88th minute and looked to be in considerable pain after what turned out to be a cracked third vertebra.

"It's a normal action, I tried to shadow him," defender Zuniga told reporters. "I was not thinking of hurting him. I was defending my country's colors."

"On the pitch I'm defending my shirt, my country, but I didn't expect him to fracture a vertebra. He is a great talent for Brazil and for the world," Zuniga said.

Neymar was taken straight to hospital as Brazilians across the country cheered their team's success on home soil before the news of his injury put a damper on celebrations.

"We'll miss him," team mate Oscar said. "Whoever comes in in his place has to play as part of the team and beat Germany.

"The best thing we do is play as a team and I just hope that whoever comes in plays well," the attacking midfielder said.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Spanish club Barcelona, had to be carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by defender Henrique for the final minutes of the game.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva, who will also miss the semi-final after being booked on Friday, refused to blame Zuniga for the injury.

"Zuniga is not a bad guy. But at that moment he wasn't very prudent, he could have held up a bit, fouled in a different way."

He said now was the time for Brazil players to come closer together and show even more solidarity on the pitch.

"In those times it is when the team shows its strength," he said.

"Neymar is a very important guy for our group, we depend a lot on him. But potentially, this situation can mark a revolution for us, like 'let's win the Cup for Neymar'. This could help bring together the team even more," he said,

Many Brazil fans had gathered outside the Fortaleza hospital, shouting "Forca Neymar" (be strong Neymar) as the player was being wheeled into the building.

Neymar also received support from the country's president, Dilma Rousseff, who tweeted: "Like all Brazil I am one of those cheering from the sidelines for our star Neymar to get better."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com