Manchester United loanee Alex Telles has issued a statement after he was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup after being sidelined with an injury.
Telles, who is currently on loan from United at LaLiga side Sevilla, sustained a right knee injury in Brazil's 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday, with an MRI scan confirming that he would play no further part in the tournament in Qatar.
Former Manchester City man Gabriel Jesus also went off injured in the match against the African side and, like Telles, will play no further part for Brazil at the World Cup.
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Following the announcement that he had been ruled out of the tournament, Telles took to social media to explain his disappointment at his involvement being ended prematurely. He also posted several pictures of himself in action for Brazil in Qatar.
"Paths are not straight, they have bends," Telles wrote on Instagram. "Not every moment in life is joyful, but the bright side of it (and we absolutely always have the counterpoint to sadness) is that after the cry, it's time to smile. I always had a childhood dream, which was to defend my country in a World Cup. And that dream, you can be sure, did not end here.
"My dream remains inside every teammate who will enter the field in the matches until the end of the World Cup. My dream follows inside every fan who screams for our country in the stands. Because this dream was never just mine, it has always been a dream of all those who love Brazil and live intensely football. I follow by heart and fan from now on. In fact, I still feel as I've always felt: a Brazilian who never gave up dreaming. I made a drawing as a kid that showed everything I wanted and actually ever wanted in my life.
"Before the match against Cameroon, I looked at that drawing and asked God to let his will be done. And this is how I’m dealing with every minute since I left the field. Nothing comes without a purpose in our lives. And with the same will of that child who drew his dreams, I will follow my path. Thanks everyone for the love. I will come back even stronger!!!!! THE DREAM CONTINUES."
In a statement earlier this week, Brazil's football association (CBF) said it was "impossible" for either Jesus or Telles to participate any further in the tournament in Qatar.
"Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests on Saturday morning accompanied by Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022," the CBF said in a statement.
It is yet to be confirmed if the two players will remain in Qatar or return to their respective clubs for treatment. Brazil face off against South Korea in the Round of 16 on Monday.
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