Neymar, Danilo out of Brazil’s FIFA World Cup group stage matches

Neymar will miss Brazil’s next World Cup games against Switzerland and Cameroon in the FIFA World Cup.

Brazil forward Neymar against Serbia.

Brazilian duo Neymar and Danilo will miss Brazil’s remaining World Cup group games against Switzerland and Cameroon after sustaining ankle injuries in Thursday’s opening 2-0 victory over Serbia, the team’s doctor said on Friday.

“Neymar and Danilo went through a MRI on Friday afternoon and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them,” he told reporters. “They will miss the next game for sure and we will be cautious as they will undergo treatment in order to try to get them in shape so they can play again in the World Cup.”

Neymar was substituted in the 79th minute, about 10 minutes after hurting his ankle while being tackled by Serbia defender Nikola Milenković.

Neymar had already been tackled many times before during the match, and was seen grimacing and limping on a few other occasions. He was fouled nine times, the most of all World Cup players after the first round of matches in the group stage.

The 30-year-old Neymar posted on Instagram, “Today has become one of the hardest moments in my career... and again in a World Cup. I have an injury yes, it’s boring, it’s going to hurt but I’m sure I’ll have the chance to come back because I will do my best to help my country, my teammates and myself.”