Neymar to travel for World Cup qualifying despite injury

Neymar will come to South America for World Cup qualifying matches regardless of a groin damage he picked up in a Champions League match for Paris Saint-Germain. Brazil coach Tite known as Flamengo striker Pedro for the matches towards Venezuela and Uruguay on Nov. 13 and 17, with out eradicating Neymar from the squad.

Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar stated he expects Neymar to be obtainable for the conflict at Uruguay “after an intensive week of training” with Brazil in Teresopolis, exterior Rio de Janeiro.

“We have the chance of recovery for the second match,” Lasmar advised Brazil’s soccer confederation web site.

“We will follow his development closely.” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel stated final week it might be “impossible” for Neymar to play for Brazil as he recovered from the damage.

Brazil has already misplaced 4 gamers for the 2 clashes, together with three resulting from damage — midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Fabinho, and defender Rodrigo Caio. Defender Eder Militão is out after contracting COVID-19.

Pedro, 23, was known as for Brazil as soon as in September 2018, however suffered a critical knee damage that stopped his debut and saved him out of motion for months.

After a disappointingly brief spell at Fiorentina, he got here again to Brazil at first of the yr on mortgage and is now one of many high objective scorers for Flamengo, with eight targets in 13 matches.Brazil and Argentina lead the South American qualifying group with two wins from two matches.