Colombia defender Camilo Zuniga has issued a formal apology to Brazil playmaker Neymar for the challenge that painfully ended his World Cup victory dreams in the Brazil v Colombia quarter final clash in Fortaleza yesterday.
A statement was released today by the Colombia national team which contained a regretful acknowledgement made by Zuniga to the 22-year-old star, saying he is “deeply sorry and sad” for causing the injury – a knee in the back which fractured a vertebra – which knocked the Brazilian poster boy out of the remainder of the World Cup competition.
The Colombian said: “Although I feel the situation was normal in a game, there was no bad intention, malice or negligence on my part.”
Brazil fans were stunned by the injury which saw their highly-prized striker stretchered off the pitch in agony in the dying minutes of the game, and even more horrified to learn of the severity of it.
They deem Neymar’s sudden exit from the World Cup a major blow to their chances of progressing past the semi final stage next week and ultimately proceeding to win the tournament.
Brazil will soldier on without their talisman, taking on Germany in the semi final in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.