Last week, doctors assisting an injured Neymar declared him not fit to continue playing for Brazil in this year's World Cup. However, media reports have swirled that the Brazilian football confederation and the soccer star will be employing aggressive medical treatment to get Neymar back in shape in time for its playoff against Germany on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported.
It could be recalled that the 22 year-old Barcelona star was recently ruled off from the World Cup field after he suffered a career-threatening back injury from getting kneed during the quarterfinals match against Colombia. Neymar's fractured vertebrae made his team's 2-1 victory over Brazil bittersweet, as Brazil is expected to be coming into the semifinals match without two of its football stars. The match, which was touted by critics as a poster example of sloppy tournament refereeing, also saw the suspension of Thiago Silva as he earned a yellow card after blocking goalkeeper David Ospina from taking a kick, the Guardian reported. Silva's foul was his second one in the tournament, which automatically suspended him from playing in the next, albeit crucial match against Germany.
On late Sunday, Neymar and the Brazilian confederation were forced to issue statements regarding the star's status in the tournament, and insisted that they will not be risking his career or health.
The Post said news about Neymar's potential return to the World Cup emerged after doctors from Neymar's former team, Brazilian club Santos, were quoted to have said that the star could get back into the game if he decides to get alternative treatment and have painkiller injections.
Brazil team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said the athlete is expected to be cheering for his teammates instead back at home for around 45 days. Shutting down hopes for a dramatic comeback, Runco urged on national television Globo TV, "Let's not create an illusion to the Brazilian people. There isn't the smallest possibility for Neymar to play on July 13 if Brazil reaches the final."
