Damien Duff made a prediction about Neymar on Tuesday evening.
Earlier in the day, Neymar hobbled out of training as Brazil prepared for their match with Costa Rica on Friday.
Neymar, who suffered a fractured metatarsal in February, looked in pain and winced as he limped away from his teammates. His involvement in his country’s second game of the World Cup appeared to be in doubt.
URGENTE! Em Sochi, Neymar sente e deixa o treino da Seleção mancando nesta terça-feira (19). Confira o momento! #Copa2018 pic.twitter.com/ZNRboOu4Hf
— TNT Sports BR (@TNTSportsBR) June 19, 2018
The Paris Saint-Germain forward underwent surgery earlier this year and looked short of match sharpness in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Sunday night, when he was repeatedly fouled by the European side.
The sight of him stumbling out of training in apparent pain inevitably caused concern in his native country. But Duff wasn’t one bit worried. In fact, the former Republic of Ireland winger predicted that Neymar would be fine for Friday’s game.
“Call me a cynic but he will be fit for Costa Rica on Wednesday,” Duff said on Tuesday night on RTE.
“He likes the show being all about him. He’s pictured going off the training pitch today. He’s grand. He is grand.”
It turns out that Duff was correct, as Neymar trained on Wednesday
https://twitter.com/BrazilStat/status/1009427281293520896
And looks on course to feature in Friday’s game.
https://twitter.com/BrazilEdition/status/1009449966652121090
Duff also said he hasn’t been impressed with Neymar over the last year. The former Chelsea and Fulham winger criticised his attitude and “showboating.”
“I don’t think he helped their first performance,” Duff said about Neymar’s display against Switzerland.
“I haven’t liked him this year. He’s gone to Paris Saint-Germain. I don’t like the way he plays there. He’s selfish. He plays for himself. I know French public haven’t enjoyed watching him. Too much showboating for me. You look at Ronaldo, Messi – they’re the best, they look to kill all the time. Whereas this lad, the other night against Switzerland there were numerous times when he was looking to attract three or four players over just to build his skills compilation on YouTube. He’s so much better than that. He’s utterly world class and I wish he played for the team more than himself.”
Duff also said that the 26-year-old has been “trying to take the Mickey” in the French league and that he will never win the Ballon d’Or playing in the country.
