NEYMAR SENDS RIVALS A SIGNAL
Brazilian superstar’s spectacular comeback should serve as a warning for World Cup foes
LIVERPOOL, England — Only three months ago, Brazil striker Neymar was on an operating table and in danger of missing the World Cup in Russia.
Those fears largely disappeared on Sunday when the world’s most expensive player returned to action with smart dribbling, fluent passing and an impressive individual goal, which he celebrated with his doctor.
Playing for the first time since February, Neymar scored the opener in Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win against Croatia in Liverpool after coming on for the second half. He then ran to hug Brazilian soccer confederation doctor Rodrigo Lasmar on the sidelines at Anfield.
“I am so happy to play football again. I have waited and worked a lot for this. I suffered, these were very tough three months,” Neymar said.
“When I saw the ball hit the net I only thought of those that helped me: Dr Lasmar, my family and friends.”
Neymar, who also withstood a few tough tackles in the game, received the ball from midfielder Philippe Coutinho in the 68th minute and dribbled past two defenders before smashing home with his right foot from close range.
The Brazilian injured the same foot playing for Paris Saint-Germain and underwent surgery in Brazil in early March. He skipped the warmup on Sunday, raising concerns about his fitness.
Afterward, Neymar said he was at 80 percent at his best, while Brazil coach Tite said the superstar’s return was “above the expected standard”.
“Neymar is only human, but he came back above my expectations,” Tite said. “I was expecting much less.”
Neymar had replaced midfielder Fernandinho at halftime with the score 0-0. He quickly made his mark and raised the hopes of Brazilian fans for the World Cup, which starts on June 14.
Tite wasn’t getting carried away, though.
“Neymar is going to have ups and downs like he had in training until the third, fourth game (on his return). Then he will have his normal standard,” said the manager.
Croatia captain Luka Modric was among many impressed with Neymar.
“It is beautiful to watch him play again, he is special, one of the best in the world,” Modric said.
“Brazil improved in the second half and Neymar made the difference.”
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino scored Brazil’s second goal in injury time after taking a Casemiro pass on his chest and chipping a shot past goalkeeper Danijel Subasic to step up his challenge for a starting position in Tite’s XI.
Brazil captain and No 9 Gabriel Jesus was replaced by Firmino after an hour.
“I am here to help Brazil. I respect Tite’s opinion (in starting with Jesus) 100 percent,” Firmino said.
The striker also thanked the Anfield fans for their support, saying “it is good to play at home”.
The same Liverpool supporters who cheered Firmino went out of their way to jeer Coutinho, who left the Reds for Barcelona earlier this year.
Until Neymar stepped onto the pitch, Croatia had the best opportunities in a largely dull affair. The Reds’ Croatian defender Dejan Lovren grazed a post with a header.
After Manchester City’s Fernandinho was replaced by Neymar, Coutinho came into his own and Brazil’s game improved.
The five-time World Cup champion plays its last preWorld Cup friendly against Austria, which defeated Germany 2-1 on Saturday, in Vienna on June 10.
Brazil faces Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E in Russia, while Croatia is up against Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria.