Football

World Cup 2022: Tite rejects Jesus injury claims ahead of South Korea encounter

An injury-time winner by Vincent Aboubakar ended Brazil’s hopes of going unbeaten in their group fixtures. The Canarinha take on the challenge of South Korea in the Round of 16 and have to overcome an injury crisis in the meeting. 

After suffering an injury against Serbia, Neymar Jr is a suspect for the meeting with the Tigers of Asia. Gabriel Jesus is also under the attention of their medical staff and can miss the knockout meeting. 

Gabriel Jesus

While Neymar is close to returning for first-team contention, Jesus has been ruled out of further action. It has been rumoured that the Arsenal forward arrived with a knee injury and problems have been further exacerbated for the 25-year-old. 

Tite has not taken kindly to their prior knowledge of Jesus’s injury. The Brazil head coach shared that a player’s health comes before their thirst for triumph at the competition. He called the rumour mongers as liars and called them out for spreading fake news. 

“Thank you very much for your question because I don’t like hearing lies out there, evil lies. Those are the people who want to do bad things for others.

“At no time whatsoever do we play for victory at the risk or peril of a player.

“So the liar who is out there, because that is what we call them, that’s the name? The haters who keep giving hate, go and do something else and stop giving fake news.”

Arsenal and Brazil have been in contact about the players on national duty. Tite and his assistant rejected the notions vehemently and alluded to their conversations with the club to make their point.

“Arsenal has a great medical department, we have a great medical department and we are responsible. We are personally responsible and ethical and it would never have happened. I didn’t want this to happen. It is a shame.”

Tite’s assistant coach Cesar Sampaio added: “Yes that’s important for us to clarify because Tite and (technical director) Juninho were specifically visiting Arsenal (in August) and at no moment were we made aware, not only them but as medical staff and I repeat what Tite said: we will never put health at risk for any result.”

Neymar

Neymar’s participation in the air

Brazil were the host in the 2014 tournament. They were knocked out by eventual champions Germany but did not have the services of Neymar to call upon. 

The PSG star has been in the thick of things this time around and missed duels with Switzerland and Cameroon, forcing Tite to look at his bench to book their place in the Round of 16. 

Neymar is fully aware of the hurt of being ruled out of the World Cup and is fighting against time to secure his place in the starting eleven. Tite is clear in his squad selection premonitions, stating that their second-highest scorer will only participate if he participates in their training sessions. 

“Neymar will practise this afternoon and if he practises OK, he will be playing tomorrow,” Tite said.

“The other 10 you don’t know who they are.”


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