Closeâ¢Â Joined ESPN in 2011
â¢Â Covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
â¢Â Previously rugby editor, and became senior writer in 2018
Follow on X
DOHA, Qatar - Brazil have suffered two more injury setbacks ahead of the World Cup round-of-16 clash against South Korea with both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles ruled out of the rest of the tournament, the country's football association said Saturday.
Jesus and Telles both picked up knocks in Brazil's 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday. Telles was substituted in the 54th minute with Jesus leaving the pitch 10 minutes later.
- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
"Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests Saturday morning accompanied by team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," the CBF said in a statement.
The news will come as a huge blow for both, but also for their club sides. Jesus' Arsenal are top of the Premier League and will want their star striker fit for when the competition resumes after the World Cup. Telles is on loan at Sevilla from Manchester United.
Sources told ESPN Gabriel Jesus will stay with Brazil in Qatar but Arsenal are in contact and expect updates on his condition to be communicated in due course.
Gabriel Jesus' injury is a blow for Brazil and Arsenal. Buda Mendes/Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Brazil continue to monitor the fitness of Neymar, who suffered an ankle injury in the win against Serbia, but sources told ESPN the World Cup favourites are confident Danilo will be fit to face South Korea on Monday with Alex Sandro also expected to recover in time.
On Saturday, Neymar returned to training on the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Brazil's 2-0 win over Serbia, warming up with his teammates and participating in drills before doing specific recovery work accompanied by strength coach Ricardo Rosa.
Neymar posted an Instagram message later on Saturday, saying "Verified I feel good, I knew that I would now â