Neymar OUT of World Cup with broken bone in his back after suffering injury in Brazil's quarter-final victory over Colombia



Juan Zuniga's challenge three minutes from time left Neymar hurt and in tears



He was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital before team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed his tournament is over

Neymar does not need surgery but is expected to be out for at least four weeks

Crowds gather outside Sao Carlos Hospital after Neymar is taken in

Brazil progress after 2-1 win despite Colombia comeback

Players from all countries tweet 'Get well soon' messages



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Brazil superstar Neymar will miss the remainder of the World Cup with a broken bone in his back.

The 22-year-old, who had scored four times to lead his country to the quarter-finals, was carried off on a stretcher in the closing stages of Friday's 2-1 win over Colombia and taken to hospital.



And team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar told local media in Brazil that Neymar will not kick another ball at the finals, expecting his recovery period to be at least four weeks.



'It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he'll need to immobilize it to recover,' he told SportTV. 'Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play.



VIDEO Scroll down to watch Neymar at hospital as his World Cup dream is crushed



Agony: Neymar lies in agony after being kneed in the back just three mintues from the end

Stretchered off: Neymar is carried away by medics leaving all Brazilian fans in a state of panic Carried away: Neymar was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital after Brazil's quarter-final win The damage: Brazilian television stations obtained an x-ray of Neymar's back and highlighted the broken bone Welcome back: There were emotional scenes as Neymar was greeted by his team-mates upon returning to the base at Teresopolis Cynical: With the ball nowhere near Zuniga smashed his knee into the lower part of Neymar's back Man down: The Barcelona forward falls to the ground after the challenge that rules him out of the semi-final

End of the line: Neymar is carried down the tunnel with his World Cup over



'The exact time (to play again) can be four to six weeks, but it is too early to confirm this. Let's wait for other tests. This is the first diagnosis we had. Initially, we know he will not be able to play.’

Neymar flew back to Rio de Janeiro from Fortaleza with the rest of his team-mates following the match and was then transported by ambulance to the team's training base at Teresopolis.



The Barcelona forward had been struggling in the build-up to the all-South American clash with thigh and knee strains but was passed fit to start.

But he was carried off three minutes from the end after Juan Zuniga's knee landed in his lower back leaving him in tears.

Zuniga said: 'It was a normal move. I never meant to hurt a player. I was on the field, playing for the shirt from my country, not without the intent to injure. I was just defending my shirt.'



Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Soclari, speaking before Lasmar's interview, said: 'I don't think he'll be able to play in the next match.

Anxious wait: Brazil fans sit outside the Sao Carlos Hospital after Neymar is taken in

National icon: The Barcelona forward is by far the most popular player in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad

Bittersweet: The elation at the victory was soon dampened as news filtered through of Neymar's injury

'He has been sent to a private clinic with the doctor because he was kneed in his lower back. He was crying in pain. It won't be easy for him to recover based on the fact that it's a back injury and with the pain he's in. Let's hope everything goes OK.

‘It might be that he could play in the final but at this moment, the next match is on July 8, I don’t think it is likely he can do it. But he is young, he has energy, he leads his life the right way and does all the right things. Let’s wait for the examination and see if there is something in the next 48 hours that can be done. In my opinion it’s going to be difficult.

'Us and them played a violent game, It was a corner kick when Neymar went in front and he came to stop the ball, but the referee decided and there is no point thinking about a punishment.

Complaints: Defender Marcelo gesticulates as his team's star man lies prone on the ground in Fortaleza

Treatment: Neymar was seen to on the pitch but had to be removed on a stretcher in the quarter-final

'We just hope that it isn't serious. But we just hope that in two or three days he will be able to rejoin us.

‘For the match against Germany it will be very difficult for Neymar to play based on what the doctor said. But we are not hopeful of this and if the injury is serious.

'It might be that he could play in the final but at this moment, the next match is on the 8th, I don’t think it is likely he can do it.

'But he is young, he has energy, he leads his life the right way and does all the right things. Let’s wait for the examination and see if there is something in the next 48 hours that can be done. In my opinion it’s going to be difficult.'

Crowds of Brazilian fans swelled outside the Sao Carlos Hospital in Fortaleza as news filtered through that their hero had been taken there.



Germany star Mesut Ozil, who is likely to start the semi-final against Brazil on Tuesday night, sent Neymar his best wishes on hearing the news, tweeting: 'Neymar, i am unhappy. get well soon.'



Perfect 10: Brazil fans were pinning their hopes on Neymar producing the goods in the latter stages

Captain Thiago Silva had opened the scoring in the first half before David Luiz's bullet free kick doubled Brazil's advantage after the break.

James Rodriguez pulled a goal back from the spot with 10 minutes remaining but Jose Pekerman's side could not find an equaliser.

Brazil will already be without the suspended Silva for the last-four showdown in Belo Horizonte.

THE WORLD TWEETS ITS SYMPATHY FOR NEYMAR

'Neymar, I hope you recover very soon friend!' - Neymar's Barcelona team-mate and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi wrote on his Facebook page.

'Sending a big hug to this phenomenon of current football, @neymarjr' - former Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos. 'Hate to hear the news on Neymar! What a player. Have a speedy recovery/Get well asap man! #HesABeast #MyKidsFavPlayer' - basketball player LeBron James of the Miami Heat. 'All our support to @neymarjr! #ForcaNeymar' - Brazil president Dilma Rousseff. 'Have strength brother. @neymarjr we are together with you, we love you' - Brazil and Chelsea midfielder Willian. 'We had a great victory but also a great loss. Have strength @neymarjr, we partner with you always!' - Brazil striker Jo, formerly of Manchester City and Everton. 'Dear @Neymarjr, have strength, we are praying that your recovery is quick #forcaneymar' - Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen. 'Good recovery Neymar, God Bless you' - former Brazil international Gilberto Silva. 'Happy with our victory today, can't wait to face #Brasil, sad for @NeymarJr hope you get better soon #ForcaNeymar #eTois #poldi #worldcup' - Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski, whose Germany side take on Brazil in the semi-finals. '@neymarjr brother! I am with you! Force!' - Italy striker Mario Balotelli. 'My brother @neymarjr - me, Luca, my family and a lot of people in this world are praying and hoping for your fast recovery!!' - former Brazil international Kaka. 'Strength, Brother! @neymarjr' Brazil and Tottenham midfielder Paulinho posted, along with a picture collage. 'We have one more reason to play with heart in this cup. Neymar, rest assured that our group loves you and give life to win this title for you. You were and continue to be the ace and the soul of our team. The whole of Brazil is praying for you!' Brazil team-mate Fred, whose Facebook post included a drawing of Neymar being surrounded by fans. 'Neymar, i am unhappy. get well soon' - Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil.



Iced: Brazil's World Cup challenge will be significantly more difficult if they are without their key man