Neymar ruled out of Switzerland clash with ankle injury

Neymar will miss Brazil’s World Cup clash with Switzerland due to an ankle problem. 

Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told journalists the Paris Saint-Germain star, 30, will be absent on Monday after scans revealed a lateral ligament injury.

Replaced by Manchester United winger Antony in the 80th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 Group G victory against Serbia, Neymar was later pictured looking distressed on the sidelines.

Both he and Juventus defender Danilo now face an uphill battle to be fit for a final group game against Cameroon next Friday. 

Lasmar said: “Neymar and Danilo went through an MRI and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them.

“It is important to be calm and evaluate day by day. The idea is to recover them for the rest of the competition.”

Neymar has a history of right ankle problems and was fouled nine times against Serbia — the most of any player in a single match in Qatar 2022 so far.

His absence is likely to see Gabriel Jesus, Antony or Gabriel Martinelli called into Tite’s starting XI to face the Swiss.

In many ways, Danilo’s injury is equally problematic for the head coach with a serious lack of right-back options at his disposal. 

Veteran full-back Dani Alves, 39, currently plying his trade at Mexican side UNAM, is expected to get the nod.

A brilliant brace from Richarlison was enough to see the tournament favourites kick off their World Cup campaign with a victory last night.