Qatar 2022: Casemiro, Raphinha condemn celebration of Neymar injury in Brazil because of politics

Brazil stars Casemiro and Raphinha has described as unfortunate the celebration of Neymar Jnr injury in the match against Serbia by Brazillians.

Following the injury to Neymar in Brazil's opening game against Serbia, Casemiro Raphinha condemned those who have celebrated his injury for political reasons.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker publicly supported presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro before he was defeated by Lula and this has led some to take joy in his suffering.

"It's a shame, but there are people in the world who wish evil on someone else," Casemiro said at a press conference.

"I feel sorry for him. We are all people.

"When you wish something bad for someone else it is serious.

"Neymar is a person who helps others a lot, who has a very big heart. Neymar does not deserve this.

"He is an exceptional player, one of the best in the world.

"I have the privilege of playing with him here.

"He won't be able to play the next game, unfortunately, and losing a player like that is difficult.

"It's up to Tite to find a replacement.

"[Lucas] Paqueta in the last two or three years is one of the players who has played the most here and he is very important for us,

"We have other players who are standing out: Vinivius, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus.

"It's a bit sad for the opponent, who has Raphinha and then Antony, or has Richarlison and then Gabriel Jesus comes in."

Neymar's injury also means that there is an opportunity for Tottenham's Richarlison to build on his brace against Serbia.

"Everyone knows his qualities, he always wants to score," Casemiro said.

"His numbers with Brazil speak for themselves, he's a great player."

For many years, Casemiro and Dani Alves were on rival teams at club level, but Casemiro has supported the full-back's inclusion in the squad despite his age.

"He is a competent player, with many titles, he has proven it to the whole world," the midfielder said.

"He's a full-back you can count on. [Eder] Militao is more defensive and Dani Alves has more quality.

"Dani Alves is here to play and, like everyone else, he wants to play."

Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Manchester United, the English club's midfielder didn't want to say much.

"I have not exchanged messages with him," the midfielder insisted.

"He has a lot of experience. I'm sad to see him go.

"We are talking about one of the best of all time.

"He knows what's good for him and, as a friend, I wish him all the luck in the world.

"May he do well in life and in football, except against me."

Raphinha has also spoken out against celebration of Neymar injury. The Brazilian player never keeps to himself, neither on the field nor on social media. On this occasion, the player replied to a fan who talked about the treatment given to Lionel Messi by Argentine fans.

"Argentina fans treat Messi like a god, Portugal fans treat Cristiano Ronaldo like a king," Raphinha said. "Brazilian fans hope Neymar gets his leg broken, how sad.

"The biggest mistake of Neymar's career was to be born Brazilian, this country does not deserve his talent and his soccer."

Plenty of fans supported Raphinha for coming out in defense of Neymar, others lashed out at him for his support of right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro in the past. "Wow, he had no empathy for the 700,000 victims of COVID, supporting the one who neglected Brazilians the most?" Fans hit back.

"Now what are you asking for, empathy? What irony!"