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Neymar out of World Cup 2014: Napoli give their support to defender Juan Camilo Zuniga after he is criticised for ending Neymar's World Cup

Neymar suffered a fractured vertebra that has ruled him out of the rest of the World Cup

Tuesday 08 July 2014 16:53 BST

Juan Camilo Zuniga challenges Neymar (GETTY IMAGES)

Napoli have come out in defence of their Colombia full-back Juan Zuniga in response to criticism following Neymar's World Cup-ending injury.

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Brazil star striker Neymar was kneed in the back by Zuniga during their quarter-final on Friday and suffered a fractured vertebra that has ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.

Zuniga has come under fire for the incident, while Brazil's football federation the CBF had pushed for disciplinary action against the 28-year-old - who did not receive a card for the challenge - but that was rejected by FIFA's disciplinary committee who said the referee had seen the incident.

Napoli on Tuesday issued a statement in support of their player, saying: "Napoli are sorry for the accident that occurred that will prevent Neymar from playing in the semi-final against Germany.

"For the Brazilian champion we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

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1/9Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Neymar scores his first against Croatia

After going a goal behind in the very first match of the tournament courtesy of a Marcelo own goal, Neymar got his tally off the mark as he scored from long range to drag Brazil level.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

He adds his second in controversial circumstances

Despite a stop-start, jerky run up, Neymar converts from the penalty spot to give Brazil the lead and they would go on to secure a 3-1 victory. However, the Croatians were infuriated by what they perceived as a dive from striker Fred to win the penalty. Not that it mattered to Neymar, who duly took his chance from the spot.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

But was he lucky to be on the pitch?

A stray elbow on Luka Modric could have warranted a red card for Neymar, but he escaped with a yellow and was on hand to score later in the match when the opportunity arose.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Tears of pride

Neymar in tears during the Brazil national anthem before the game with Mexico, such is the importance of the occasion

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Neymar left frustrated against Mexico

An unimpressive Brazil side were left hugely frustrated by Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. In a man-of-the-match display, Ochoa kept out a close range header from Neymar to see the match end as a goalless draw.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Back on form and back in the goals

You can’t keep a quality player quiet for long though, and unfortunately for Cameroon, their dismal World Cup campaign came to an end at the hands of another Neymar brace. Taking his tally to four goals, Neymar put himself in the reckoning for the Golden Boot, although his injury has put paid to that dream for now.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Caught with his pants down

Despite being the poster boy of Fifa’s World Cup, the governing body confirmed that they were investigating Neymar for allegedly breaching sponsorship rules by partially showing the top of his underwear that may or may not have been part of a sponsorship stunt. Eventually, Fifa conformed they would take no further action.

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Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

Neymar’s penalty prowess sees off Chile

After a hard-fought 120 minutes, Brazil and Chile were locked at 1-1 courtesy of David Luiz and Alexis Sanchez strikes. Mauricio Pinilla and Sanchez both saw their penalty shootout efforts saved by Julio Cesar, but Willian and Hulk followed suit. With the weight of a nation on his shoulders, Neymar coolly slotted home from the spot, which turned out to be the match-winner as Gonzalo Jara then hit the post to send Brazil through to the quarter-finals.

Neymar's best and worst moments of the 2014 World Cup

One assist, no goals and a trip to hospital sees Neymar done

The forward had seen his impact in the quarter-final against Colombia somewhat limited due to the rough and tumble nature of the match – although the Brazilians were just as guilty of using the tactic against James Rodriguez. His corner allowed Thiago Silva to bundle the ball across the line for the opener, before Juan Camilo Zuniga’s ill-timed knee in the back cracked on of Neymar’s vertebrae and ended his run at this year’s World Cup.

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"At the same time, the club expresses its support for Zuniga , who has been subjected to fierce criticism and threats of all kinds, for a foul in play that was not malicious but unfortunate in its consequences.

Brazil's Neymar is seen inside a medical helicopter at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Brazil. Neymar will be treated at home for his back injury (Heuler Andrey | Mowa Press via Getty Images)

"We note with relief that, in addition to the referee and his assistants, FIFA's disciplinary committee stated that there were no bad intentions on Zuniga's part."

Neymar will be sidelined for at least four weeks.

Brazil play Germany in Tuesday's semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

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