Barcelona: Brazil’s Neymar progressing very well

By: 10 years ago

Brazil supporters wear masks of injured Brazilian player Neymar before the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Brazil and Germany at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. AP

BARCELONA — Barcelona says Neymar is progressing “very well” from the back injury that caused the Brazil striker to exit the World Cup.

Officials of the Spanish league club have visited Neymar at his home in Brazil where he will remain until returning to Barcelona on August 5 to continue the final phase of his recovery from a fractured vertebra.

Neymar sustained the back injury in the 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Colombia, leaving Brazil without its top attacking player for Tuesday’s 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany.

Neymar, who joined Barcelona last season, scored four goals in five games at the World Cup, where Brazil will look to salvage some pride on Saturday against the Netherlands in the third-place playoff.

Argentina plays Germany for the title a day later.