Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed the initial fear that filled his players when Neymar went down injured against Colombia on Friday.
The Barcelona ace was left sprawled on the floor after Colombia’s Juan Camilo Zúñiga had kneed him in the back late on in the quarter-final clash.
It was later confirmed that the 22-year-old would be out for the rest of the competition and Scolari has told Marca what Marcelo initially said to the bench.
Football Espana quoted the Brazil head coach, who commented: “Neymar said ‘I can’t feel my legs.’ Marcelo was scared and called the doctor on but the doctor couldn’t get on in the confusion.
“It was a big shock, the image of Neymar being stretchered off to the helicopter, in difficulty, crying.
“Neymar was our benchmark, one of our references, because he is a player who makes a difference in any team.
“We’re in a situation where we’ve lost something we don’t want to miss, especially for the semi-final and final.”
Scolari went on to reveal that he has asked Neymar to be on the bench or in the stands if he can for Brazil’s semi-final match against Germany on Tuesday.
He added: “Neymar will be with us if he can be, on the bench or in the stands. We’ve asked this.
“It all depends on his state in the coming days. By his will, I’ve certainly felt that he will be.”
