22-year old Brazil superstar Neymar da Silva Santos Jr, commonly referred to as Neymar, has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2014 World Cup after Brazils team doctor confirmed that he suffered a broken vertebra in the 88th minute of Brazils quarter-final win against Colombia on July 4th.
The damage was caused by a jump ball collision with Colombian defender Juan Camilo Zuniga. Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Neymar broke the third vertebra in the lumbar region of his back.
Zuniga, who has been the center of attention in Brazil as of late while receiving death threats and racial insults from the Brazilian community at large said there was no malice in his collision with the young super-star.
"It was a typical play. I never had the intention of hurting any player," said Zuniga. "On the pitch I play for my country, and never have the intention of hurting anybody. I was only defending my country's jersey."
Other Brazilian players spoke out in support of their fallen teammate, with both Frederico 'Fred' Chaves Guedes and 'Hulk' Givandilo Viera de Souza saying they will player harder knowing in the back of their mind Neymar is injured.
"Neymar is a guy who worked so hard. We saw his dedication in training. God will heal you ASAP. Neymar, we will work to please you," said Fred.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff also sent her support to Neymar via twitter, where she wrote "Along with the rest of Brazil, I'm hoping for the recovery of our greatest player."
To make matters worse, Brazil will be without center-back Thiago Silva for their semi-final v. Germany after he received his second yellow card of the tournament in Friday's matchup v. Colombia.
Brazil will play Germany on Tuesday at 4:00pm with their World Cup hopes dwindling and 39-year home winning streak on the line. Oh boy.
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