Neymar spotted crying on bench after coming off injured for Brazil against Serbia

Neymar Brazil World Cup 2022
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Neymar was seen crying on Brazil's bench during their opening fixture of World Cup 2022, after he came off injured against Serbia due to a strong tackle towards the end of the game. 

Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic caught Neymar with a strong challenge in the 80th minute, with the Brazilian's right ankle twisting under the pressure as it caught in the turf. 

Neymar managed to get up and walk around for a a few seconds following the tackle - which went undetected by the referee - but he had to receive treatment on the pitch before eventually hobbling off. 

At the end of the game, Neymar took his right boot off and hobbled down the tunnel towards the changing rooms. The extent of the injury is unclear, although, from his reaction, it could be serious. 

Indeed, the Brazilian forward missed a few months of last season through an ankle injury. Before that, in 2019, Neymar was out for an extended period of time due to rupturing his ligaments in his right ankle, too - the same ankle that is seemingly affected after the game against Serbia. 

Brazil managed to beat Serbia 2-0 in Group G, courtesy of two Richarlison finishes. The Tottenham man scored a typical poacher's finish in the second half, before following it up with a wonderful bicycle kick that is surely a contender for the goal of the tournament. 

Tournament favourites Brazil face Switzerland in their next game on Monday, before taking on Cameroon in the final group match of the World Cup. Switzerland beat Cameroon 1-0 in the other fixture in Group G today, with Breel Embolo the scorer. 

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.