Following a 2-0 victory over Serbia in their first match of the 2022 World Cup, Brazil sit atop Group G as they get set to take on Switzerland in the second round of action.
Yet they'll likely have to progress through at least the rest of group stage action without their best player.
Their 30-year-old attacker Neymar left the victory with 10 minutes to go after suffering a nasty ankle injury, and he has reportedly been ruled out for at least the game against Switzerland plus the group finale against Cameroon.
As a player who has struggled with injuries in the past, including one in the 2014 World Cup that cost Brazil late in the tournament, Neymar is sidelined yet again. Here's what we know about his injury.
MORE: Full tracker of every known injury for all 32 teams at the 2022 World Cup
Neymar out vs. Switzerland with ankle injury
After playing a part in Brazil's opening goal against Serbia on November 24, Neymar was forced from the field in the 80th minute.
The 30-year-old had been down on the ground after being subjected to a heavy tackle that seemed to hurt his right ankle, which was immediately treated by Brazil's medical staff.
Neymar was targeted throughout the Serbia match, fouled nine times, the most of any player in the opening round of World Cup action. He eventually felt the full weight of one of those challenges, with his ankle clearly buckling under the weight of a tackle by Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic, whose trailing leg appeared to catch Neymar's foot.
— Gols Copa 2022 (@golscopa2022) November 24, 2022
Photos after the match showed Neymar's ankle swollen, with the Brazilian playmaker clearly in pain.
Neymar was visibly emotional after leaving the field, and he was seen in tears on the bench — with fears the injury may now limit his involvement in the 2022 World Cup.
📸Así quedó la pierna de Neymar tras la entrada de Milenkovic. pic.twitter.com/Do0dD1v1F2
— Express Futbol (@ExpressFutbolCL) November 24, 2022
How long is Neymar out injured?
Based on his immediate reactions and the subsequent swelling, the news may not be good for him or the team, as they look to win their first World Cup in 20 years — although coach Tite told the press afterwards that he is hopeful it will not be serious. He insisted: "Neymar is going to play [in the rest of the World Cup]. I can be absolutely sure that Neymar is going to play!"
Following the match, Brazilian outlet Globo reported that Neymar would be out for the rest of the group stage, but could return for the knockout round. The report also claimed right-back Danilo is set for a similar lay off after suffering an ankle injury of his own.
"The scans showed a lateral ligament injury on Neymar's right ankle, along with a small bone swelling. And a medial ligament injury in Danilo's left ankle," team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said.
That gives Neymar around 11 days to rest and try to be fit before Brazil likely take to the field in the knockout stages.
Can Brazil win the World Cup without Neymar?
Brazil has one of the deepest squads in the world, if not the deepest, and if there's any nation with the ability to weather the loss of its best player, it's the Selecao.
Yet there's no denying the absence of Neymar will make things much tougher on the tournament's betting favorites.
Neymar was in sensational form at PSG, with 15 goals and 12 assists for the French side across all competitions through the first half of the club season. He was excellent in the opener before his injury, with four shots and three chances created while winning nine of his 19 ground duels. Serbia took to hacking the PSG star to stop him from breaching their defense, and it cost them.
The injury hasn't dented Brazil's chances according to most sports books, with their odds to win unmoved.
Odds to win the 2022 World Cup
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), Ladbrokes (Australia). Odds as of Sunday, November 27, the day before Brazil's group stage match against Switzerland.
| Nation | Odds to win (USA) | Odds to win (Canada) | Odds to win (UK) | Odds to win (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | +250 | — | 5/2 | 3.50 |
| France | +550 | — | 11/2 | 6.00 |
| Spain | +700 | — | 6/1 | 6.50 |
| Argentina | +700 | — | 7/1 | 8.00 |
| England | +800 | — | 8/1 | 9.00 |
| Germany | +1200 | — | 12/1 | 12.00 |
| Portugal | +1200 | — | 12/1 | 12.00 |
| Netherlands | +1400 | — | 14/1 | 15.00 |
