Brazil’s World Cup Future Uncertain After Two More Players Injured

Brazil came out at the top of Group G with six points after conceding only one match in the opening round of the World Cup. Their 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday might not have hindered their path to the round of 16, but it resulted in the loss of two more players from their squad.

Twenty-nine year old Alex Telles and 25-year-old, Gabriel Jesus, have been knocked out of the remainder of the World Cup following their injuries in Friday’s match. Jesus was forced to exit the game 10 minutes after Telles was substituted in the 54th minute.

On Saturday, officials confirmed that both players had suffered extensive injuries to their right knees and would be unable to proceed in the ongoing tournament.

Jesus, who is signed with Arsenal, will reportedly need a month to recover from his injuries, while Telles, a member of Manchester United, may require surgery. Their teammates Danilo and Alex Sandro have also had injury problems, but reports state that both players are expected to make a return during Brazil’s upcoming match against South Korea.

Telles and Jesus’ injuries follow Neymar’s exit during Brazil’s opening match against Serbia. Neymar was substituted after a heavy tackle and suffered a sprain to his right ankle. The team’s head coach, Tite, expressed confidence in Neymar playing in the upcoming matches and on Saturday, he returned to the pitch for the first time for a round of light training.

In 2014, Neymar was forced out of the World Cup after a back injury in the quarterfinals against Colombia.