LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Injured star Neymar will be at Lusail Stadium on Friday to watch Brazil play Cameroon in the World Cup..
It will be the first time Neymar has joined his teammates in a match since he injured his right ankle in Brazil’s opener against Serbia last week.
Neymar was the only player to stay at the team hotel for the match against Switzerland on Monday. He had stayed behind to undergo treatment for torn ligaments in his foot.
Right-back Danilo and left-back Alex Sandro, who also won’t play against Cameroon due to injuries, were also with the team at the Lusail Stadium.
The Brazilian soccer confederation showed Neymar early Friday exercising with a ball at the team hotel. He had done physiotherapy treatment in a swimming pool Wednesday. Danilo and Alex Sandro practiced separately at the team’s training center on Friday.
Brazil, who have already qualified for the round of 16, need a draw against Cameroon to finish first in Group G and play the round of 16 against South Korea.
Brazil’s doctors have yet to say when Neymar is expected to return. The team said the Paris Saint-Germain player will be re-evaluated on Saturday.
Neymar injured his back in the quarterfinal against Colombia during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and missed the rest of the tournament. He also missed the 2019 Copa América with another right ankle injury.
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