Football
Associated Press 10y

Brazil deny talk of Neymar return

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- Neymar and the Brazilian football confederation have denied media reports that the striker could undergo special treatment on his fractured vertebra to try to play in the World Cup final if Brazil makes it that far.

Both Neymar and the CBF released statements late on Sunday saying that nothing that could risk the player's health or career would be attempted to allow him to play in the final if Brazil advances past Germany in Tuesday's semifinals.

The statements came after the Brazilian media quoted doctors from the Brazilian club Santos, Neymar's former team, as saying there was a chance the striker could return for Sunday's final with alternative treatments and painkiller injections.

The 22-year-old Barcelona star was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after being kneed in the back late in Brazil's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia.

Tests conducted at a hospital shortly after Friday's match showed a fracture in his third vertebra. The confederation said in its statement that "the prognosis is excellent" for Neymar, but only if the injury is given the proper amount of time to heal.

"Rushed measures put in risk his future life as an athlete," the statement said.

Brazil team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said Neymar is expected to be sidelined for about 45 days. He has returned home from the team's training camp to recover.

"Let's not create an illusion to the Brazilian people," Runco told Globo TV. "There isn't the smallest possibility for Neymar to play on July 13 if Brazil reaches the final."

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta said the club is aware of the extent of Neymar's injury.

"Our medical services are in constant communication with those in Brazil," Zubizarreta said. "We know he is stable, at home. We will send a doctor there to accompany him during complicated moments. It is not a normal injury, and that always creates worry. We remain calm because we are going to have Neymar for a long time. We will give him the time he needs to recover."

Neymar's staff said in his statement that he remains solely under the care of the Brazilian confederation's doctors until the end of the World Cup. It said the visit by Santos' doctors was a "cordiality."

While the statement never directly dismissed the possibility he could play in the final, it said that "no alternative treatment was discussed."

"If Neymar becomes fit to play a professional football match before initially expected, it will be because of the positive progress of his condition through the treatment currently being administered," the statement said.

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