Neymar is not dead - he can even sit up
Following Brazil’s nervy win over Colombia, I spoke to Brazil fans in the immediate aftermath of the news that Neymar would miss the rest of the World Cup through injury.
It was a Friday night which started in celebratory mood for most Brazilians, a mood which soon turned when the seriousness of his injury – and the implications for the Selecao – became apparent.
I received a bit of grief for the headline – ‘Brazil mourns Neymar’s passing’ – a headline I didn’t actually write. But it was supposed to be ironic, likening the national mood to that of a wake: sadness, joy, and a lot of drink.
However, as the dust has settled and Argentina edged past Belgium with Lionel Messi intact, a wider concern emerged of what Brazil’s Neymar-less fate may be.
“Neymar won't be on the pitch, but his soul will be on it, with the players. Neymar's spirit will be with us,” Mario Zagallo, the former Brazil coach, opined.
Current boss Luiz Felipe Scolari spoke of "tears, catastrophes, heartbreak", claiming that Neymar thought he was paralysed after the incident.
Tabloid newspapers showed images of weeping fans, adults and children alike, with some becoming internet memes. The World Cup was over, they cried, they killed our baby.Worse, Juan Zuniga
– the Colombia player whose rough challenge injured the Barcelona star –
has been sent racist abuse and death threats for his stray boot.
Obviously, that is ridiculous but it sums up a creeping fear that Brazil’s hopes are over. Or, even worse, that they could end up losing to bitter rivals Argentina in the final.
Just as absurd were reports emanating from Brazil that Neymar was considering taking pain-killing injections to stabilise his back so he could play in the final, provided they get past Germany.
Following Brazil’s nervy win over Colombia, I spoke to Brazil fans in the immediate aftermath of the news that Neymar would miss the rest of the World Cup through injury.
It was a Friday night which started in celebratory mood for most Brazilians, a mood which soon turned when the seriousness of his injury – and the implications for the Selecao – became apparent.
I received a bit of grief for the headline – ‘Brazil mourns Neymar’s passing’ – a headline I didn’t actually write. But it was supposed to be ironic, likening the national mood to that of a wake: sadness, joy, and a lot of drink.
However, as the dust has settled and Argentina edged past Belgium with Lionel Messi intact, a wider concern emerged of what Brazil’s Neymar-less fate may be.
“Neymar won't be on the pitch, but his soul will be on it, with the players. Neymar's spirit will be with us,” Mario Zagallo, the former Brazil coach, opined.
Current boss Luiz Felipe Scolari spoke of "tears, catastrophes, heartbreak", claiming that Neymar thought he was paralysed after the incident.
Obviously, that is ridiculous but it sums up a creeping fear that Brazil’s hopes are over. Or, even worse, that they could end up losing to bitter rivals Argentina in the final.
Just as absurd were reports emanating from Brazil that Neymar was considering taking pain-killing injections to stabilise his back so he could play in the final, provided they get past Germany.
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