Barcelona striker Neymar had a run-out on the training pitch for the first time in Japan on Wednesday as the European champions prepared for their Club World Cup semifinal against Guangzhou Evergrande.
Neymar, who missed the first two days of practice since arriving in Yokohama, is unlikely to play against the Asian champions on Thursday.
The Brazil captain, who has not played since sustaining a groin injury in training last week ahead of Barca’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Bayer Leverkusen, trained with a fitness coach away from the rest of the squad the day before the match against Chinese opposition.
“I am not a fan of taking risks,” Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique said when asked whether Neymar would play in the final. “We will decide [whether he plays of not] when the moment arrives, if that moment arrives, because first we must get to the final.
“He is following the normal process for an injured player. That you don’t see him practice doesn’t mean that he isn’t training. There are lots of places to do training. The only thing I am concerned with is that he recovers 100 percent.”
Barcelona are looking become the first club to win the Club World Cup three times, having previously triumphed in 2009 and 2011. They will start Thursday’s game as favourites despite heading to Japan without a win in their last three games.
Neymar scored a goal in each half to help Barcelona to their sixth straight victory.
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