Brazil’s Neymar Devastated After Injury Ends World Cup Dream
Brazilian forward Neymar has spoken of his heartbreak after a back injury ended his World Cup campaign, saying he has been robbed of his dream to play in a World Cup final on home soil.
The 22-year-old FC Barcelona star sustained a fractured vertebra during Brazil’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Colombia. The injury, caused by a heavy challenge from Colombian defender Juan Camilo Zúñiga late in the match, means Neymar will play no further part in the tournament.
“They took away my dream of playing in a World Cup final,” Neymar told FIFA in an emotional interview. “It was something I wanted so badly. Not just for me, but for my family, for my country. That dream is over now.”
Neymar, who has been Brazil’s standout player in the tournament with four goals and several key contributions, was stretchered off in the closing minutes of the match in Fortaleza. Scans later confirmed he had suffered a fracture to the third lumbar vertebra in his spine — an injury that, while not requiring surgery, will sideline him for several weeks.
The incident has sparked debate over the physicality of the game and the refereeing decisions during the match, which saw a total of 54 fouls committed by both sides. Zúñiga, the player at the centre of the controversy, issued an apology following the match, insisting he had no intention of injuring Neymar.
“It was a normal play,” Zúñiga said in an interview with Brazil’s Globo TV. “I never meant to hurt him. When I’m on the pitch, I fight for my country and my team, but I always try to play fair.”
“It was a hard-fought match. Both teams were going in strong. Brazil also committed some heavy tackles. That’s part of football,” he added. “But I never intended to fracture his spine. I’m very sad about what happened, and I hope Neymar recovers quickly. He is a great talent for Brazil and the world.”
The Colombian defender, who plays for Italian club Napoli, has received criticism from some quarters, though others have defended the challenge as part of the game’s physical nature.
Brazil, now without their talismanic forward, must prepare for a daunting semi-final clash against Germany. The team is also expected to be without captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card during the same match.
As the host nation mourns the loss of its star, head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his players face the monumental task of rallying themselves for the final stages of the tournament — without the man who has carried much of the nation’s hopes.
