Brazil forward Neymar said he is not fully fit to play in the two opening rounds of World Cup qualifying due to the right ankle injury that has sidelined him since February.
Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal but hasn’t yet played for his new club. He said in a press conference Thursday that the Saudi Pro League could be as good as France‘s Ligue 1 — if not better.
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Brazil will play its first match in World Cup qualifying on Friday in the Amazon city of Belem against Bolívia. Then the Selecao will travel to face Peru on Tuesday.
Neymar clarified his injury status ahead of the games after Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus criticised the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) for calling him up while he was still not in physical condition to play.
The 31-year-old, though, said that he has joined up with Brazil in similar condition before and still played, adding that Jesus was just wanting to “protect” him.
“I feel well, happy, but obviously I am not 100% fit. But my head is well, my body is well,” Neymar said. “I was going to play the latest match [of Al Hilal], but I was hit during training and the coach chose to leave me out, so I could come to Brazil.”
