SOCHI, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Star forward Neymar sent a scare through Brazil's World Cup camp on Tuesday by limping away from a training session with an ankle problem.

The 26-year-old was taking part in a keepings off warmup exercise at the team's training base in Sochi when he complained of pain in his right ankle.

He hobbled off accompanied by team physiotherapist Bruno Maziotti.

Brazilian Football Confederation officials played down the seriousness of the injury and said Neymar would be available for Brazil's next match against Costa Rica in Saint Petersburg on Friday.

The problem is believed to be related to a series of knocks that the Paris Saint-Germain player received in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening Group E match on Sunday.

On the eve of the match against the Swiss, Brazil coach Tite warned that Neymar was still not fully fit after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot in March.

The 26-year-old returned after more than three months on the sidelines by scoring in Brazil's 2-0 friendly victory over Croatia on June 3. He also netted in a 3-0 rout of Austria seven days later, the South American team's final World Cup warmup match. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)