Neymar attracts huge crowds as Brazil star travels to Japan to film mattress adverts
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2711716/Neymar-attracts-huge-crowds-Brazil-star-travels-Japan-film-mattress-adverts.html
Brazil star Neymar is visiting Japan on Thursday to film an advert for mattresses for athletes.
The frontman, who injured his back during Brazil's World Cup quarter-final victory over Colombia, will also appear on a number of television shows during the trip.
Neymar was met on his arrival by huge crowds having initially planned to travel a day earlier but for flight delays.
Such was the clamour to meet the Barcelona star that the airport barrier was broken by the surging Japanese fans.
The 22-year-old cracked vertebra in his back following a robust challenge from Colombia's Juan Zuniga and subsequently missed Brazil's 7-1 drubbing to eventual world champions Germany in the tournaments semi-finals.
Neymar had scored four World Cup goals before being sidelined.
Neymar Says Back Improving During Japan Trip
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/neymar-back-improving-japan-trip-24785476
Brazil and Barcelona striker Neymar says he is almost back to full fitness after the serious back injury he sustained at the World Cup.
The 22-year-old Neymar is on promotional trip to Tokyo, where he will film a commercial for a Japanese mattress company. About 700 fans greeted him at Tokyo's Haneda Airport on Thursday.
"It's all good. My back is improving. It's almost 100 percent," Neymar said. "I'm looking forward to joining my (Barcelona) teammates and helping them win the title."
Neymar's first World Cup ended in disappointment when he was carried off the field on a stretcher with a fractured vertebra during Brazil's quarterfinal win over Colombia.
Before his injury, Neymar had scored four goals in five games and was considered one of the standout players of the tournament. Half of Brazil's goals until then were scored by him.
Barcelona's season starts on Aug. 24. The club has said Neymar's recovery was progressing "very well."
Neymar has a busy schedule in Japan. In addition to shooting a commercial, he made several TV appearances and fielded questions about technique from young Japanese players.