Barcelona’s Neymar urges Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva to be ‘strong’

Barcelona forward Neymar urges Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva to be "strong" after the Reds star's injury blow

By The Sport Review
Wednesday 22 January 2014, 17:11 UK

Barcelona and Brazil star Neymar tweeted his best wishes to Lucas Leiva Photo: S Savarese

Neymar has backed Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva to come back from his injury stronger.

The Barcelona star posted a message for his fellow Brazil international on Twitter after it was confirmed that Lucas would be sidelined for two months with a medial ligament injury.

The 27-year-old was brought on as a half-time substitute for compatriot Philippe Coutinho during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday but had to be substituted after 21 minutes due to injury.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that Lucas would need “24 to 48 hours” before assessing the severity of the problem ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Bournemouth.

And it was confirmed on Tuesday that Lucas would be out for six to eight weeks, prompting Barcelona forward Neymar to post a message of support for his compatriot.

Neymar said: “Hi mate, be strong; we are together. God bless you!”
Lucas was quick to respond to his international team-mate’s message, replying: “”Thanks brother, we’ll be back soon”.

Neymar added: “Good! We’ll come back flying high…we’re together.”