Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger said he was saddened Brazil's Neymar will not feature in their semi-final but believed the hosts may play above themselves with the whole nation behind them.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz dominated Gael Monfils 6-2 6-4 and fourth seed Alexander Zverev escaped a tight first set en route to a 7-6(4) 6-3 win over Christopher Eubanks to reach the last 16 at the Miami Open on Monday.
Neymar will be selected as one of Brazil's three over-age players for the 2016 Olympics, the team's manager Alexandre Gallo said on Thursday.
World Cup hosts Brazil are back in the spotlight with the chance to get one foot in the last 16 when they face Mexico in Fortaleza on Tuesday.
Neymar stole the show from the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale when the Brazilian's strike set Barcelona on the way to a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Saturday's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp.
Images from the FIFA World Cup Quarter-final match between Croatia and Brazil on Friday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has decided to rest Lionel Messi, Neymar and most of his regulars for the King's Cup last 16, second leg match at Elche later on Thursday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The 22-year-old forward has produced some inspirational performances for Brazil, scoring 30 goals in 47 matches - including a hat-trick in last week's 5-0 friendly win over South Africa.
Real Madrid's early-season woes deepened when they lost 2-1 at home to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, while substitute Neymar struck twice in Barcelona's 2-0 win against visiting Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Long time Chelsea target Neymar has agreed on a deal with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid. The nine-time champions of Europe have agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian ace from Santos, according to agent Ernesto Bronzetti, reports goal.com.
Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata scored a goal and then missed a penalty as his side began their La Liga campaign with an eventful and nervy 1-0 win at home to Getafe on Sunday which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Gareth Bale will have to find his place within a star-studded Madrid line-up quickly because the world's most expensive player is sure to be compared constantly with his new team mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Neymar.
Don't miss the gorgeous, daring looks from the red carpet.
Cristiano Ronaldo has yet again left the competition behind as the five-time Ballon D'Or winner was named Instagram's top earner for the third year in a row.
"When he has the ball at his feet, he can make things happen for himself and he can make things happen for other players. He is a very special player."
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has accused Colombia's Juan Zuniga of an "evil, violent" tackle that has put Neymar out of the World Cup and said on Saturday he favoured tougher sanctions against violent play.
Mbappe scores late penalty to secure PSG 2-1 win over Strasbourg
A Malaysian footballer has beaten the likes of Neymar and Messi to score a place in FIFA's shortlist for top three goals of the year.
Lionel Messi said he and his family had trouble adapting after his move to Paris St Germain in 2021.
"I have already made my decision but will not disclose until game time," Tite said.
Neymar converted a penalty with the final kick of the match to hand Brazil a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Argentina in a friendly international at the Serra Dourada in Goiania on Wednesday.
'An evening in Riyadh... what an evening... Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Mbappe, Neymar all playing together... and yours truly invited guest to inaugurate the game .. PSG vs Riyadh Seasons... Incredible!!!'
Photos of the World Cup match between Cameroon and Brazil being played in Brasilia
Brazil striker Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup when he netted his side's first goal in their final Group A game against Cameroon on Monday.
Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic denied Brazil's potent strike force on several occasions in a goalless first half of their World Cup Group G match on Thursday.
Lionel Messi and Neymar will take part in a new anti-doping program to trial a biological passport in football, FIFA said.
Barcelona extended their winning start to their title defence to six games when Neymar scored his debut La Liga goal and Lionel Messi netted his seventh of the season in an entertaining 4-1 victory at home to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.
The soccer world was in mourning on Tuesday as clubs, players and fans from around the globe sent tributes and support to Brazilian side Chapecoense following a deadly air crash in Colombia that killed 76 people, including several players.
Brilliant Brazil striker Neymar flew into Barcelona and signed a five-year contract amid great fanfare on Monday before announcing his priority was to help his idol Lionel Messi remain the world's best player.
Barca are now second on 66 points, two behind Real who have a game in hand as they chase a first title triumph since 2012.
An emotional Neymar cried as he recalled the challenge that ended his World Cup on Thursday and said he felt blessed not to have ended up in a wheelchair.
Neymar, inspired by the protest movement which has swept Brazil in the last few days, gave possibly his best performance for his country in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the Confederations Cup on Wednesday.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Teenage strike Neymar scored twice on his third appearance for Brazil as the South Americans outclassed Scotland 2-0 in a friendly played in something of a carnival atmosphere at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Brazil spread the ball beautifully with a plethora of one-touch passing combinations that cornered the South Koreans who had no plan to defend against so much talent.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Neymar's hat-trick lit up a powerful Brazil performance as the 32 nations taking part in this year's World Cup tested out their squads on a busy night of friendlies on Wednesday which also brought victories for Spain, Germany and France.
Brazilian prodigy Neymar got a pay rise from Santos and committed himself to the Brazilian club for the next five years on Thursday.
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