SAO PAULO (AP) – A Neymar injury led Brazilian coach Tite to bring Everton Ribeiro from Flamengo for the first round of qualifying for the South American World Cup against Bolivia.
Neymar left Wednesday’s back pain consultation and also skipped thursday, aggravating Brazil’s injured up disorders with goalkeeper Alisson and striker Gabriel Jesús already absent.
When asked about Ribeiro at a press conference, Tite said he was still hoping to have Neymar for Friday’s game.
“Esperaremos. Si don’t have it, it will be Everton Ribeiro,” said the Brazilian technician.
Brazilian national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Neymar had made “a small improvement” since Wednesday but has no compatibility to train. Lasmar said he would wait until Friday to make a call about Neymar’s compatibility to play.
Ribeiro, 31, is one of the players of Flamengo, protective champion of South America and Brazil, and works more as a midfielder than as a sharp end like Neymar.
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