Injured Neymar says World Cup ‘dream’ stolen

Brazil football star Neymar said Saturday that his dream of playing in the World Cup final had been stolen from him by a fractured vertebrae inflicted by a Colombia rival.

“They took away my dream of playing in a World Cup final, but the dream of being world champion has not ended,” Neymar said in remarks released by the Brazilian football federation.

“There are two games left and I am sure my teammates will do everything to lift the trophy,” he said.

The Brazil squad applauded the 22-yearold Barcelona striker at an emotional farewell at their Teresopolis camp before he was taken to Rio de Janeiro by helicopter, according to the CBF federation.

Neymar was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after Colombian defender Juan Zuniga kneed him in the back in a challenge in Friday’s quarter-final. Brazil play Germany in the semi-finals on Tuesday.