NEYMAR has been pictured in training for the first time as he edges closer to a return to football.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward hasn’t featured since undergoing surgery on a broken metatarsal he suffered against Marseille in February.
His injury left him in a race to be fit for the World Cup in Russia, but the 26-year-old appears to be right on schedule.
Neymar is expected to feature for Brazil in their upcoming friendly against Croatia on June 3 – two weeks before their opener against Switzerland.
PSG uploaded a picture on their Instagram of the 26-year-old in action, with the caption: “neymarjr with the squad at the Parc des Princes training ground.”
And while his adoring fans can’t wait to see him back on the pitch, the player himself has revealed he is not only nervous, but scared.
Speaking to Brazilian news outlet TV Globo, Neymar said: “Nobody is as scared as me (about returning).
“I know that people are a little anxious, but nobody more than me, nobody is as nervous about my comeback and nobody is more scared than me.
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“It’s a very difficult time, right? I think it’s one of the most difficult I’ve ever had, because I’m very close to a dream I have, which is the World Cup.
“Thank God I have this further opportunity, this further chance, to try to be a world champion for my country, which is a dream that I have had since childhood.
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“It is my goal. I hope it is my cup.”
Neymar enjoyed a superb opening season in France before injury cut short his campaign.
He was named as the Ligue 1 Player of the Year despite missing the final few months, netting 19 times and chalking up 15 assists in the top-flight.
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