ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia – Brazil coach Tite says Neymar is not fully fit, but will play some role when the five-time champions open their World Cup account against Switzerland on Sunday.
The world’s most expensive player had surgery after breaking a foot bone in February, and only began playing again in two warm-up games for Brazil in the weeks before the World Cup began in Russia.
“He is not 100 percent at the moment, but he has exceptional physical qualities, his speed in particular,” Tite said.
“He is always quick and he hasn’t lost that speed, but he is not at 100 percent. I hope he will be fit on Sunday. In any case, he is in a suitable state to play.”
The Paris Saint-Germain star scored fine goals in both of the warm-up games and said he felt fine afterwards.
Brazil, seeking to erase the humiliation of their 7-1 drubbing by Germany at the semi-final stage on home soil four years ago, also face Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.