Brazil held by Nigeria, Neymar substituted amid injury concern

Neymar to miss out for injury once again
Neymar to miss out for injury once again

Potential hamstring injury concerns forced Tete to withdraw Neymar‘s involvement during the early stages of Brazil’s friendly against Nigeria. The 27-year-old walked off holding his left thigh and could be a doubt for the Champions League game against Club Bruges on October 22.

Rangers’ Joe Aribo gave Nigeria the lead in the first half as he slotted past Manchester City’s Ederson. Real Madrid’s Casemiro prodded in from close range to equalize just after half-time.

After the match, Brazil manager Tite said Neymar “felt a muscle injury” and was substituted as a “precaution.”

Despite having 70% possession in Singapore, Brazil were unable to find a winner to remain winless in this international break after drawing 1-1 with Senegal on Thursday.

The Paris Saint-Germain star was not looking in much discomfort but reached for the back of his left leg as he made his way off the pitch after just 12 minutes of the match in Singapore. He was then seen in conversation with a member of Brazil’s staff on the bench at the National Stadium.

Philippe Coutinho replaced Neymar, who won his 100th international cap in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Senegal. Neymar is the youngest Brazilian to achieve this feat.

An ankle injury forced Neymar to miss this year’s Copa America on home soil, and he only returned to action for PSG a month ago, with his reintroduction to the team delayed in part by his widely reported desire to engineer a transfer back to former club Barcelona. The forward made his first appearance of the season and spectacularly scored the winner in the Ligue 1 victory over Strasbourg on September 14. Further goals followed against Lyon, Bordeaux, and Angers before he headed to Asia to link up with Tite’s squad.