NeymarNeymar

Neymar’s injured back is healing well and he is aiming to return to action in a friendly for his club Barcelona on August 18, the Brazil forward said yesterday.

Neymar fractured a bone in his back following a challenge from Colombia defender Juan Zuniga in Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final and was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

“I am recovering bit by bit from the injury and I will arrive in Barcelona at 100 per cent,” Neymar, who is due back at Barca on August 5, told reporters at a promotional event in Japan.

“I want to have a good season and I would like to help my team-mates get good results,” he added.

Barca play Mexican side Leon in the friendly at the Nou Camp on August 18, with the winners awarded a trophy named for the Catalan club’s founder Joan Gamper.

They begin their La Liga campaign at home to Elche the following weekend.

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