Brazil remain confident Neymar will be back to help their bid to win the Fifa World Cup after their captain suffered a seemingly serious ankle injury in the opening match against Serbia.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward, the world’s most expensive player, was substituted on 79 minutes in the 2-0 win at Lusail Stadium on Thursday.
Neymar, who was seen crying on the bench and had to be consoled by teammates, was later diagnosed with a sprained ankle. On Friday, he posted images of the injury on social media, which sparked rumours that he could in fact be out for the remainder of the tournament.
Brazil, among the favourites for the trophy, are seeking to lift a record-extending sixth global title. The World Cup concludes on December 18.
As expected, Neymar, 30, has been ruled out of Monday’s Group G clash with Switzerland at the 974 Stadium, along with Brazil right-back Danilo.
On Sunday, manager Tite sounded less certain regarding Neymar than he had immediately after the Serbia victory.
However, he told reporters: "I believe that Neymar and Danilo are going to play again at this World Cup. I do. But medically, clinically, I am in no position to say anything.
"I will keep doing so, not just for Neymar but also Danilo. I believe we are going to be able to use them again."
Meanwhile, defender Marquinhos, a teammate of Neymar’s at PSG, confirmed the team’s star player had been undergoing intensive physiotherapy in order to return as soon possible.
Asked in Doha on Sunday about Neymar’s state of mind, Marquinhos said: "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.
Brazil v Serbia ratings
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BRAZIL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 6 - Serbia didn’t have a single attempt on target. Brazil had 22. That showed you how busy the Liverpool goalkeeper was. Getty Images -
Alex Sandro 7 - Hit the post with a strike just before Brazil scored. His side took an hour to get going, but when they did they were very impressive. Getty Images -
Thiago Silva 7 - Age 38 and playing in his fourth World Cup. Super 27th minute ball to Vinicius, who was brought down for a free-kick. AFP -
Marquinhos 7 - Solid at the back, which was important given Brazil’s attacking formation, and seldom threatened as Brazil dominated. Getty Images -
Danilo 7 - Never really put under pressure, even though Brazil were sluggish for a long time. AFP -
Casemiro 8 - Wonderful ball to Neymar after nine minutes, then hit a shot on target himself after 21. Accurate passing and beautiful shot which hit the crossbar after 81. Getty Images -
Lucas Paqueta 7 - Didn’t have the influence of Casemiro but won possession back for his side. Doesn’t get the same fanfare of more attacking players. Getty Images -
Neymar 8 - Closely followed and fouled wherever he roamed. Hit a 13th minute corner on target. Shot a Vinicius cross wide on 54. Involved in the goal. Still a significant influence on the game. Getty Images -
Vinicius Junior 8 - Missed the target on 40 after winning the ball from a Serbian defensive error. Dangerous with the ball and so much more effective when Brazil clicked. Getty Images -
Raphinha 7 - Barcelona’s left footed right winger had a 48th minute effort well saved. Should have scored with another chance but worked effectively on the right. EPA -
Richarlison 9 - Weak finish on 34 after an impressive build up as Brazil pushed for an opener. Did get on the scoresheet on 62 minutes - his eighth goal for his country in his last seven games. That became nine with overhead kick on 73. Getty Images -
SUBS: Fred 7 - On for Paqueta after 73 to sit in the middle of the pitch and protect Brazil’s 2-0 lead. Fine shot from distance was saved on 83. AP Photo -
Rodrygo 8 - On for Vinicius after 73. Excellent coming in from the left with his right foot. Overhit an 86th minute shot. AFP -
Gabriel Jesus 7 - On for Richarlison after 78. Lovely pass to Casemiro for an 81st minute effort. AFP -
Antony 7 - On for Neymar after 79 and an immediate danger with his pace. AFP -
Gabriel Martinelli NA - On for Raphinha after 87 and straight into a flowing attacking side. AFP -
SERBIA RATINGS: Vanja Milinković-Savić – 7 Made several important saves to keep his side in the game, and couldn’t do much about either of the two Brazil goals. Commanded his area. Getty Images -
Filip Mladenović – 6 Had a tough test against Raphinha but managed to stay resolute and played a huge part in keeping the scores level at half time. Didn’t offer much going forward. Getty Images -
Strahinja Pavlović – 7 Looked shaky at times, but had a good battle with Raphinha. Made some crucial tackles throughout. Getty Images -
Nikola Milenković – 6 Used his presence well to clear a lot of crosses into the Serbian box, but had his hands full containing the quality of Neymar and Vinicius Junior. Getty Images -
Miloš Veljković – 6 Showed determination, particularly in the first half, to keep out the World Cup favourites. However, in the second half, the South American side applied even more pressure, which proved too much for Veljković. Getty Images -
Andrija Živković – 7 Did well to contain Vinicius Junior in the first half on the right side of the pitch. Was taken off early in the second half after carrying a knock. Getty Images -
Saša Lukić – 5 An aggressive performance when it came to helping his side out defensively during the constant waves of attacks, but offered little creatively from the midfield. Getty Images -
Nemanja Gudelj – 6 Battled well until a yellow card took the edge from his game. A mistake in the second half almost let Raphinha get on the scoresheet, but the winger missed a one on one. AP Photo -
Sergej Milinković-Savić – 6 In a game which saw his side on the backfoot, the midfielder was unable to get himself into the game going forward. Found it hard getting the better of Casemiro. Getty Images -
Dušan Tadić – 7 The Serbian captain looked most likely to make something happen for his side but failed to create anything threatening. Did provide some enticing set-piece deliveries, but Brazil were equal to them. Getty Images -
Aleksandar Mitrović – 4 A tough night for the Fulham forward who was starved of any service. Getty Images -
SUBS: Nemanja Radonjić (Živković, 57) – 6 The winger added more attacking firepower in the second half but was unable to create any goalscoring opportunities. Getty Images -
Ivan Ilić (Gudelj, 57) – 5 Was introduced into the game just before the opposition broke the deadlock, which made it hard for the midfielder to get into the game. Getty Images -
Dušan Vlahović (Mladenović, 66) – 6 The forward provided plenty of energy but like his fellow forward Mitrovic, he struggled to get any real chances. Getty Images -
Darko Lazović (Lukić, 66) – 6 Tried hard to create down the left wing but was dealt with comfortably by Alex Sandro. Getty Images -
Nemanja Maksimović (Mitrović 83) N/A Came on with Brazil dominating, and couldn’t make an impact. Getty Images
"Now, after the tests and the treatment, he is doing physiotherapy 24 hours a day – that shows how much he wants to be back with us. We don't know when, but we hope it's as soon as possible."
The centre-back added: "Obviously we wanted to have Neymar and Danilo. The coach wanted all 26 players available for the World Cup.
“But we are ready and confident that we can show how strong the squad is, that we are well trained and ready for whatever the tournament throws at us.
"In a World Cup, the team that starts the tournament is not always the team that finishes it, because of injuries or because some are playing better than others. Everyone has an important role to play."
A win for Brazil against Switzerland could secure a place in the knockout stages, although that is dependent on the result in the earlier match on Monday between Cameroon and Serbia. Cameroon also lost their opening group game on Thursday, beaten 1-0 by the Swiss.
