Neymar: If I were 2cm shorter, I would be paralyzed.

Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar has spoken about the severity of the injury he sustained after a tackle from behind by Colombian defender Juan Zuniga.

Zuniga's horrific collision with Neymar.

Although his injury is progressing quite well, striker Neymar said he still feels terrified when he thinks about the collision and was at times devastated knowing that he almost lost the ability to walk.

"I was just 2cm shorter and would have had to use a wheelchair," the 22-year-old striker shared in a press conference. "I used to not feel my legs anymore."

In addition, Neymar also said that Zuniga called to apologize to him after the foul.

Earlier, Neymar appeared to be in great pain after receiving a malicious knee strike to the back from Colombian defender Juan Zuniga. He immediately collapsed and had to be stretchered off the pitch by medical staff for X-rays and further examination at a hospital in Fortaleza. Neymar was diagnosed with an injury to the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and will need two months to recover.

Neymar bid farewell to the 2014 World Cup in tears.

Neymar scored 9 goals in 26 La Liga games for Barca last season but didn't win any trophies. At the 2014 World Cup, he shone with 4 goals before suffering an injury in the quarter-final match against Colombia.

Without him and captain Thiago Silva, Brazil suffered a humiliating 1-7 defeat against Germany in the recent semi-final. Therefore, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's team will face the Netherlands in the bronze medal match on July 13th.

Also related to Neymar, FIFA will pay his club, Barcelona, ​​€14,000 per day as compensation for Neymar's injury. According to regulations, this payment will begin 28 days after the Brazilian player is sidelined. This means FIFA will pay the Catalan club €14,000 per day starting from August 2nd. If the diagnosis is correct and Neymar will be out of action for 45 days, Barcelona will receive a total of €238,000.

Source: FOOTBALL +