Neymar injury: Brazil forward arrives home after World Cup dream cut short

Video: Brazil's biggest football star has arrived back home to continue his recovery from a back injury sustained in the 2-1 quarter-final victory against Colombia on Friday

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 )

Neymar was airlifted this weekend from the Brazil training camp in Teresópolis to his home in Guarujá, São Paulo, where he will continue his recovery.

The 22-year-old has been the face of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, yet he must now watch his country attempt to clinch a sixth tournament title from the sidelines after a wild challenge from Colombian defender Juan Zuniga during Brazil's 2-1 victory in the last 16.

Neymar initially feared he was paralysed straight after the incident, and it was soon confirmed that he would be out for up to six weeks, ending his participation at the tournament.

Crowds of Brazilian fans gathered outside the Sao Carlos Hospital in Fortaleza as news filtered through that their hero had been taken there on Friday night.

The Brazil football confederation (CBF) confirmed in a statement that Neymar is likely to be absent for around a month, ruling the striker out of Tuesday's semi-final against Germany and the final, should Brazil get there, on July 13.

The statement read: "Neymar is out of the World Cup. The player suffered a fracture of the third vertebra and will not be able to recover in time to compete in the remaining two games of the World Cup - the recovery time predicted by the Brazilian team's medical department is four weeks."

In a video message for his fans, a tearful Neymar said: "I want to tell you that I'll be back to the field as soon as possible. I would like to thank you for your support and affection expressed through the messages that have been sent to me.

"My dream has not ended yet, it was suspended due to a move, but it is still alive. I am sure my partners will make sure I can achieve my dream, which is to be a champion."