Neymar is available for Brazil’s World Cup Round of 16 tie against South Korea on Monday, coach Tite has confirmed.
The 30-year-old striker has missed Brazil’s last two group games after sustain ligament damage in the right ankle in the opening game against Serbia.
Pre-tournament favorites Brazil qualified for the knockout stage with one game to play and topped Group G despite losing to Cameroon.
Asked on Sunday if Neymar would be able to return, Tite replied “yes”.
He added: “Neymar will train today in the afternoon and if he trains well he will play.”
The Paris St-Germain star was substituted in the 80th minute of his country’s 2-0 win over Serbia after a heavy tackle from Nikola Milenkovic and later described the injury as “one of the most difficult moments of my career”.
Neymar wrote on Instagram: “Nothing in my life has been easy and I always had to work for my dreams and my goals. I never wished anything bad on anyone and I always helped whoever had it. need.
“I’m injured, yes it’s not nice, it’s going to hurt but I’m sure I will have the chance to come back because I will do everything possible to help my country, my team-mates and myself.”
Neymar has suffered a number of right foot injury issues in recent years, missing the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his ankle and then spending several weeks recovering from a similar injury in 2021.
Defender Danilo is also fit to return for Brazil, but Alex Telles and striker Gabriel Jesus have been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
THE PREDICTION OF CHRIS SUTTON
South Korea came very late to get here, but the spectacular way they qualified from Group H means their World Cup was memorable no matter what happens next.
They’re going to give it a shot and they showed against Portugal how well organized they are in defence, but I don’t think they have enough at the other end to bother Brazil.
The closeness may depend on how Neymar recovers from injury, but I still think Brazil will win even if they have to do it without him.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
MATCH STATISTICS
- This will be the eighth meeting between Brazil and South Korea, but the first ever competitive meeting between the two teams. Brazil have won six of the previous seven fixtures (L1), most recently a 5-1 victory in June.
- Brazil have lost four of their last 10 World Cup matches. Their previous four defeats in the competition have come in 36 matches.
- This will be South Korea’s first knockout game since 2010, when they were beaten by Uruguay in the Round of 16.
- Brazil have improved since each of their last seven World Cup second round matches. They were last knocked out at this stage in 1990 against Argentina.
