Injured Brazilian star Neymar has given the World Cup favourites another headache - literally.
Neymar, who was ruled out of Monday night’s 1-0 victory over Switzerland with an ankle injury, has now been hit by illness. He was unable to join his team-mates in the 974 Stadium after telling the team doctor that he was feeling sick and had a headache.
Neymar was found to be suffering from a fever and watched the game from his hotel room. He later Tweeted that Casemiro was the best midfielder in the world after the Manchester United star scored a sensational late winner to send Brazil into the last 16 after two successive victories.
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr confirmed: "Neymar stayed at the hotel with a fever. We are all rooting for him to recover quickly from illness and his injury."
A bout of illness has been going around the Brazil camp in recent days. Neymar is still hoping to be fit for Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon on Friday after limping out of the opening 2-0 win over Serbia after being fouled nine times.
But it is unlikely that coach Tite will risk his No 10 until the knock-out stages begin. "We will never risk the health of a player or use a player who can’t play properly," said Title, who believes the victory over the Swiss proved that Brazil can still be a threat even without their talisman.
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"We have a wide range of options. We have spent a whole four-year period developing this team. The victory was for four years of using these athletes, developing them, evolving the team over time. What won the game? The process, the development. That was the cherry on cake.
"The entire team brings you this. The players who came on were great supporters. Bruno Guimaraes came on. Antony came on, they did very well. Rodrygo also."
Neymar issued an injury update on Instagram three days ago. He wrote: "The pride and love I feel wearing the shirt is inexplicable. If God gave me the opportunity to choose a country to be born in, it would be Brazil.
"Nothing in my life was given or easy, I always had to chase after my dreams and my goals. Never wishing someone harm but helping those in need. Today has become one of the most difficult moments of my career... and again in a World Cup!
"I have an injury yes, it is annoying, it is going to hurt, but I'm sure I will have a chance to come back because I'll do my best to help my country, my teammates and myself. Long wait for the enemy to take me down like this? Never! I am the son of the god of the impossible and my faith is endless."
Brazil need just a point in their final group game against Cameroon on Friday to finish top of Group G. Their possible opponents in the last 16 are Portugal, Ghana, South Korea and Uruguay.
