Brazil fear Vinicius Jr could be targetted by oppositions at the World Cup | OneFootball

While Brazil may have begun their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign on a winning note, it came at the cost of an injury to superstar Neymar.

Indeed, the PSG attacker was at the receiving end up some very rough challenges from the Serbian national team on Thursday night and ultimately had to come off late on with an ankle issue.

Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lesmar has now confirmed that Neymar has injured his right ankle. And the Brazilian forward’s involvement for the remainder of the group stages of the World Cup is a major doubt.

And following the incident, MARCA reports that the Brazil camp feel Neymar was targetted by the Serbian national team during the game as the ex-Barcelona ace was on the receiving end of the most fouls on the night.

The report further adds that in the camp they are now worried that Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr could be the next player to be targetted by opponents in a similar way to Neymar.

Vinicius has been in red-hot form this season for Real Madrid and managed to carry that to the international stage as he played a key role in Brazil’s 2-0 victory over Serbia.

Over the course of the season, though, the 22-year-old has been at the receiving end of some harsh treatment from oppositions while playing for Real Madrid. And Brazil now fear that the trend might continue at the World Cup.

The Selecao, who are widely tipped as one of the favourites to win the tournament, play Switzerland up next in the group before facing Cameroon.

With Neymar potentially ruled out of both those matches, Vinicius’ Real Madrid teammate, Rodrygo Goes, is understood to be in line to replace the seasoned superstar in the starting XI.