Neymar absent as Barcelona prepares for Club World Cup
FILE – Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar grabs the goal’s net after missing an attempt on goal during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on December 5, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JOSE JORDAN / AFP / JOSE JORDAN
YOKOHAMA, Japan — Injured striker Neymar sat out training for a second straight day Tuesday as Barcelona prepared for its Club World Cup semifinal.
Neymar now looks unlikely to play for the European champion, which is seeking a third Club World Cup crown, against Asian champion Guangzhou Evergrande of China.
Article continues after this advertisementHe sustained a groin injury in training last week ahead of the Champions League match with Bayer Leverkusen.
Neymar also skipped Monday’s practice, which took place only hours after the team arrived in Yokohama following an overnight flight.
Guangzhou Evergrande, coached by Neymar’s Brazilian compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari, is on a 28-match unbeaten run and beat Club America of Mexico in the previous round.
