Neymar and Danilo to miss Brazil's final two World Cup group-stage matches

Brazil's Neymar and Danilo will miss their nation's final two World Cup group-stage matches after suffering injuries in Thursday's 2-0 victory over Serbia. A source close to the Brazilian team told Reuters on Friday that both Neymar and Danilo face a fight to be fit for the knockout stage.

Brazil, who finished first in Group G, will play Switzerland and Cameroon in their upcoming matches without their most famous player, Neymar, and dependable fullback Danilo, though the team doctor only confirmed that they would miss the match against Switzerland.

Neymar sprained his ankle in the second half of a bruising match against Serbia on Thursday. He was in tears while sitting on the bench and after the match limped off the field on his way to the locker



room.

"Neymar and Danilo went through an MRI on Friday afternoon and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them," Rodrigo Lasmar told reporters.

"They will miss the next game for sure and we will be cautious as they will undergo treatment in order to try to get them in shape so they can play again in the World Cup."

Neymar has struggled with his right foot and ankle for several years and appeared distraught as he exited the field late in Thursday's match. He suffered a back injury in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final victory over Colombia, ruling him out of the 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany. Brazil's problems are exacerbated by the fact that both winger Antony and midfielder Lucas Paqueta are ill and may miss the match against Switzerland on Monday.