Neymar irreplaceable, says Tite
Brazil coach Tite said Neymar is “irreplaceable” as the Selecao began its World Cup build-up without its injured superstar against Russia in Moscow on Friday night.
Neymar is facing three months on the sidelines after fracturing a metatarsal in his right foot during Paris Saint Germain’s Ligue 1 win over Marseille last month.
Douglas Costa was selected in Neymar’s place on the left side of Brazil’s attack for the friendly against World Cup host Russia, but Tite stressed the Juventus winger, who is on loan from Bayern Munich, was not a like-for-like replacement.
“Neymar is irreplaceable due to the fact that he is one of the three best players in the world,” Tite said.
“That’s a fact. Douglas Costa won’t replace Neymar. He is going to be Douglas Costa. We have to take on the challenge of being a strong team. I can’t rely on our best player to do everything.”
Neymar, who is recovering from foot surgery in Brazil, faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, which starts on June 14.
He posted an update of his rehabilitation on Instagram on Thursday, showing his right leg out of the protective boot he has been wearing in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old had been in sensational form for Brazil as it cruised through to the finals in Russia by winning the South American qualifying group by 10 points.
However, citing recent comments from Brazil great Kaka, Tite believes getting used to playing without the world’s most expensive player could be healthy for his squad.
“Kaka said recently that Neymar was considered the best player in the world because the team was playing well and that he owed a lot to his teammates,” Tite said.
“That’s emblematic. Neymar is going to be strong if the team is strong. And eventually, there are going to be times when we are going to have to play without him.”
Brazil will face Germany in Berlin on Tuesday in the teams’ first meeting since the 2014 World Cup semifinals, when Joachim Loew’s Germans routed the host 7-1.