Neymar Discusses 'Fear' of Returning from Foot Injury Ahead of 2018 World Cup

Neymar has said he is worried about returning to action after his long-term foot injury ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which begins next month.

The Paris Saint-Germain star has been sidelined since February and, although he is set to recover in time to represent Brazil at the World Cup, he told compatriot Zico about being nervous about his return, per YouTube show De Papo Com Galinho (h/t Sport):

"Expectations are big ahead of the World Cup. Everything's going well, thanks to God. I started to walk again, yes, but I have fear of returning. What I should do is get rid of that fear as quickly as possible to get to the World Cup in good condition. The start is bad, people have fear of making any wrong movement, but bit by bit you make it back."

Neymar, 26, is arguably Brazil's most important player.

At the Selecao's home World Cup four years ago, he was vital to Brazil's passage to the semi-final, However, he fractured a vertebra in the quarter-final win over Colombia and was unable to play in the next round, where they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany.

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Manager Tite has overseen an improvement in Brazil ahead of this summer's tournament, and they are not quite as reliant on their star man as they were four years ago.

However, if they are to turn joint favouritism—defending champions Germany are also well fancied—into success in Russia, they will need a fully fit and firing Neymar in the side. 

His return for the national side speaks for itself. He has 53 goals in 83 appearances for Brazil.

Neymar's creativity and vision make him one of the best players in the world, and if he is at 100 per cent, he will be hard to stop in Russia.