Brazil head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that he and the rest of the squad were panic stricken when Neymar could not feel his legs following the back injury during the Selecao's 2-1 over Colombia in the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
Neymar, who was kneed on the back by Juan Zuniga during the latter stages of the match, has been ruled out for 2-6 weeks, after suffering from a fractured bone in his lower back.
The 22-year-old striker told defender Marcelo that he had no feeling in the lower part of his body following the challenge. And Scolari admits he feared that the striker was paralyzed, and would never be able to play again.
"Marcelo ran up to Neymar and asked him how he was feeling and he told him: 'I can't feel my legs,'" said Scolari.
However, doctors have confirmed that Neymar's injury isn't serious and he will be making a full recovery before the start of the new La Liga season.
"He does not have any neurological injury that would compromise his life as an athlete or a human being. He will be out for 40-45 days. Then he will be able to pass, to run," said Jose Luiz Runco, the Brazil team doctor.
The Brazil boss is hopeful that Neymar will enjoy the remainder of the competition with the rest of the squad.
"He will be with us if he can, on the bench or in the stands," the former Chelsea manager said.
"We have already asked him to do this. It all will depend on how he is in the upcoming days. If he can do it, I am certain that he will."
Scolari claims that Neymar's absence will be a big blow for Brazil, who are preparing for their semi-final clash against Germany.
"Neymar is our star player, because he's the type of match-winner who would make a difference in any team. We've lost the one player we didn't want to lose ahead of the semi-finals and the final," said the former Chelsea boss.
Still Scolari says that Neymar will be with the rest of the squad to enjoy the remainder of the World Cup.
"He will be with us if he can, on the bench or in the stands. We have already asked him to do this. It all will depend on how he is in the upcoming days. If he can do it, I am certain that he will," he added.
