Brazilian team doctor travels to Paris to assess Neymar injury

By Michael Place

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has traveled to France to assess the foot injury suffered by Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, Brazilian football officials said on Tuesday.

Neymar sprained his right ankle and suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal during PSG's 3-0 Ligue 1 victory over Marseille on Sunday.

Lasmar denied media reports claiming that the 26-year-old is seeking surgery to avoid complications during the World Cup, to be played in Russia from June 14 to July 15.

"There has been no decision about the treatment," Lasmar told Brazilian newspaper O Globo. "That will be taken on Wednesday after I meet with the PSG doctor."

Brazil's national team coordinator Edu Gaspar said Paris Saint-Germain would have the final say over how to treat the injury.

"Dr. Lasmar will go there to assess what PSG are doing but PSG are responsible for him. All we can do is accompany [them during the] process," Gaspar said.

Earlier, Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery described speculation that Neymar would undergo surgery as "false."

The Spaniard said there was a "small chance" the Brazilian would be fit for the second leg of Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League round of 16 tie against Real Madrid in Paris on March 6.

The reigning Spanish and European champions won the first leg in Madrid 3-1.

Neymar has scored 28 goals and provided 16 assists across all competitions since arriving in the French capital from Barcelona for a world record fee of 222 million euros in August.

His injury prompted Brazil coach Tite to postpone the naming of the Selecao squad for upcoming friendlies against Russia and Germany.

The announcement, originally scheduled for March 2, will now be made on March 12, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Enditem