Neymar's Facebook Message for Brazil Ahead of the World Cup Semi-Final

Neymar took to Facebook with a rousing message for Brazil fans ahead of the World Cup semi-final against Germany later on Tuesday.

The forward is set to miss the rest of the tournament after fracturing a vertebra during Brazil's quarter-final with Colombia, and the news has been a serious blow not just to the team but to the country as a whole.

The Barcelona star, prolific on social media, took to Facebook with a rallying cry, saying that he wouldn't be at the game but that he would be watching as a fan.

Accompanying the text is a picture with thumbnail images of all his Brazil team-mates, as well as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The message is in Portuguese but The Wall Street Journal has translated some of the key details:

"

"Today I’m going to watch the Brazil game against Germany on the outside. I’m going to be one more among the 200 million fans," a translated line read.

[...] In the Facebook post, Neymar said he has received thousands of messages of support since his injury which "made these last days less painful."

He may not be playing on the field, but Neymar still hopes to be a presence at the finals.

"I want very, very much to be with everyone (fans and my teammates) next Sunday in the field … at the maracana."

"

Brazil are gunning for a record sixth World Cup victory, and their first on home soil.

[Facebook]