Raphinha defends Neymar after his latest injury ruled him out of the rest of the group stage... as he shares an Instagram post claiming Messi and Ronaldo are worshipped by fans, but Brazilians hope their star player 'fractures his leg'
- Neymar suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's opening World Cup match
- It was initially feared that he could be ruled out of the entire tournament
- However, he is now set to return if Brazil make the knockout stages
- Raphinha has shared an Instagram post hinting Brazil fans hoped Neymar was badly injured
- The post claims Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are worshipped, but Neymar does not get the same support from fans
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Raphinha has shared an Instagram post suggesting that Neymar does not get the respect he deserves from Brazil fans after he was forced off injured in the national team's opening game at the World Cup.
Neymar twisted his ankle in Brazil's 2-0 win against Serbia, and hobbled off in the second half.
It has since been confirmed that he will miss the rest of the group stage, but he could return if Brazil make it through to the knockout rounds of the tournament.
![Neymar suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's game against Serbia on Thursday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/26/09/64957691-11471653-image-a-1_1669453415309.jpg)
Neymar suffered an ankle injury in Brazil's game against Serbia on Thursday night
![His ankle was badly swollen after the match, but he has not been ruled out of the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/26/09/64957699-11471653-image-m-3_1669453455971.jpg)
His ankle was badly swollen after the match, but he has not been ruled out of the World Cup
![Raphinha has shared an Instagram post claiming Neymar does not get the same respect from fans as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/26/09/64957767-11471653-image-a-8_1669454118071.jpg)
Raphinha has shared an Instagram post claiming Neymar does not get the same respect from fans as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Raphinha has hinted that some Brazil supporters may have been hoping for Neymar to be ruled out completely by re-sharing a post claiming that the forward doesn't get the same recognition from fans as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The post read: 'Argentina supporters treat Messi like a God. Portugal supporters treat Ronaldo like a King. Brazil supporters yearn for Neymar to fracture his leg.'
Neymar is currently playing at his third World Cup, but injuries have hindered his impact in the previous two tournaments.
Back in 2014, he suffered a back fracture in the quarter-final against Colombia, which ruled him out of the semi-final with Germany. Brazil went on to suffer a humiliating 7-1 defeat in the last-four clash without him.
He then had fitness issues in the build up to the 2018 World Cup, and despite scoring two goals he was unable to lead Brazil to glory as they exited at the quarter-final stage.
![Raphinha has hinted that his team-mate Neymar deserves more respect from Brazilians](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/26/09/64957723-11471653-image-a-4_1669453605790.jpg)
Raphinha has hinted that his team-mate Neymar deserves more respect from Brazilians
The 30-year-old has scored 75 goals for his country, leaving him just two adrift of Brazil's all-time top goalscorer, Pele.
It seems only a matter of time before he passes Pele, and joins Messi and Ronaldo as the top scorers for their respective nations.
Messi and Ronaldo have both opened their accounts at this year's tournament by scoring penalties, while Neymar is yet to get off the mark.
Brazil are well-placed to get out of their group, though, after their opening game win, meaning Neymar may get the chance to come back into the team and earn the respect of the fans by playing a significant role in their bid for a sixth World Cup triumph.
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