Brazil have suffered a succession of injuries in Qatar, and Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles will not return before the end of the World Cup.
Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles will not recover from knee injuries in time to play again at the 2022 World Cup, Brazil confirmed on Saturday.
Both were substituted in Friday’s defeat to Cameroon and team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar subsequently confirmed they would have scans the following day.
Brazil have already been without Neymar, Danilo and Alex Sandro through injury and their last two setbacks have been notable.
Reports in Brazil on Saturday suggested that Jesus will miss a month and Telles is at risk of surgery, which also represents blows for Arsenal and Sevilla.
A CBF statement subsequently confirmed that neither would play in the remainder of the World Cup.
“As announced by the CBF after the game against Cameroon, players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests this Saturday morning,” the statement read.
“Accompanied by Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, they performed an MRI of the right knee, which confirmed the injury and the impossibility of timely recovery for participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“Brazilian national team coordinator Juninho Paulista is in contact with the sporting directors of Arsenal and Sevilla to determine whether Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus will remain with the squad in Doha to continue their treatment or return to their respective clubs.”
While Jesus was only set to play as Richarlison’s backup in the knockout stages, Telles could be in line for a prominent role.
Alex Sandro is the only other natural left-back in the squad and is not certain to return in time for the last 16 match against South Korea.
At least Brazil are more optimistic about the status of versatile right-back Danilo, who was expected to return to full training on Saturday.
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