Neymar out of Copa after injury during Qatar match

Brazil star Neymar has been ruled out of the Copa America after tearing ankle ligaments during his country’s 2-0 win over Qatar in a pre-tournament friendly, capping a troubled season for the world’s most expensive player.The injury to the Paris Saint-Germain player is a huge blow to host nation Brazil’s preparations for the South American continental championship, which begins in just over a week’s time.A distraught-looking Neymar covered his face with his hands as he sat on the bench after hobbling from the field in the 20th minute at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha Stadium on Wednesday.A large ice pack had been strapped to his lower right leg.“Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will neither be fit nor have time to recuperate sufficiently to participate” in the tournament, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said.The injury comes just nine days before Brazil’s opening Copa America game against Bolivia.It caps a troubled season on and off the field for Neymar, who in the buildup to the match faced accusations that he raped a woman in a Paris hotel in May.With Neymar ruled out, the host nation face an uphill battle to win South America’s continental championship for the first time since 2007.Ankle problems ruled him out of the second half of the just-completed Ligue 1 season in France. When he did finally return to the team, he played as PSG suffered a shock defeat to Rennes in the French Cup final and then lashed out at a supporter in the stands afterwards.  In a sign of how significant a figure Neymar remains in Brazilian life, the country’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro offered his public backing for the player ahead of the match.“He’s going through a difficult moment but I believe him,” said Bolsonaro.  At a news conference Monday, national coach Tite was bombarded with questions about effect of the affair on the squad.Attempting to sidestep the issue, Tite said he would “not judge” Neymar, who he said was “indispensable” to the team.In the match, two Premier League-based players, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, scored Brazil’s goals in the first half. Qatar had a chance to pull a goal back in the 96th minute after the referee penalised Ederson for a mistimed challenge following a VAR review, however, Boualem Khoukhi’s spot-kick cannoned against the crossbar.It was a lively first half in Brasilia, where two goals were scored, a penalty was overturned by the VAR and Neymar left the pitch in tears. The maroons had won seven successive matches heading into the friendly but the Copa America guests were completely outplayed as Brazil hit the front in the 16th minute. Dani Alves picked out Richarlison, who rose highest to head past Saad al-Sheeb for his fourth international goal.Neymar, who was seen crying on the sidelines, was forced from the ground shortly afterwards and replaced by Everton.That did not hamper Brazil, who doubled their lead eight minutes later through Jesus following some neat combination play with Richarlison.Brazil will finalise their Copa America preparations at home to Honduras on Sunday before opening the tournament against Bolivia on June 14. Qatar, meanwhile, will not play again until they face Paraguay (June 16) in Copa America action.