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Football

18th Jun 2018

Neymar hobbles around after Brazil’s draw with Switzerland

Jack O'Toole

Brazilian forward Neymar was seen hobbling around in the mixed zone after his side’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Sunday.

Neymar played the full 96 minutes at the Rostov Arena as Brazil stalled in their World Cup opener after a second-half header from Switzerland winger Steven Zuber cancelled out a stunning first-half strike from Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

Neymar struggled at times throughout the contest in what was just his third game back from a fractured metatarsal and a sprained ankle.

He was fouled 10 times against Switzerland, the most for any player in a World Cup match since Alan Shearer was fouled 11 times against Tunisia on June 15, 1998 and the most fouls a Brazilian player has received since the 1966 World Cup, and after the match he was seen hobbling around the mixed zone in Rostov.

Brazil manager Tite indicated on Saturday that Neymar was not 100% heading into the game but was still fit enough to play.

“Neymar is not 100 percent yet,” Tite said. “But he is privileged and strong physically — he is very quick, and he hasn’t lost that. I hope he’ll be ready, but the medical staff knows better. He’s good enough to play very well.”