While the injury is expected to keep Neymar out for two to three weeks, potentially skipping the opening group game against Morocco, Casemiro reacted strongly to suggestions that the forward’s days as the team’s leading man are over. He refused to accept the narrative that Neymar can no longer be the central figure for the five-time world champions.
"That's you saying it, that he won't be the protagonist," Casemiro replied when questioned about Neymar's influence. "A player, despite knowing what he does on the pitch, every one of them wants to have the protagonist role. That question is for Neymar, for the Mister... we know his quality. He is taking care of the injury, he wants to get back to training first. It has to be in stages. Get healthy again, get back to playing, and then think about being the protagonist. Think about health."