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After reports in Brazil emerged that Neymar could make a miracle return to play in the World Cup final should his side reach it, team doctor Joe Ruz Runco has moved quickly to rubbish the speculation.
The 22-year-old broke his back 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.
Reports in Brazil yesterday suggested that the Barcelona forward could make a remarkable return to play in Sunday's final by taking pain-killing injections should Brazil navigate their way past Germany tomorrow, but team doctor Runzo has stated that there is no chance of this happening.
"There’s no chance of him playing in the final of the World Cup,” Runco told TV Globo.
"He can be with the team, yes, but there’s no chance he can be on the field. No way.
Show all 9 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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"We will not create the illusion of something that does not exist. We have no choice but to not play him.
Marcelo comes to the aid of his team-mate (GETTY IMAGES) "Neymar has an injury which needs to heal. It could seriously risk his recovery if he plays, and jeopardise his career."
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