Barcelona forward Neymar out for two weeks, omitted from squad for Super Cup
Barcelona will be without the services of Neymar Jr. for two weeks after he was diagnosed with parotitis (also known as mumps), according to the official FC Barcelona website. It has been reported that although the Brazilian had been given the proper vaccinations, he was still diagnosed with the disease.
Mumps is a viral disease that causes fever, muscle pain and headaches. It can also lead to the swelling of one or both parotid glands (salivary gland) which can be very painful.
The medical staff at the Catalan club decided that he was to be given two weeks to recuperate. This will come as a big blow for the Champions League winners as they are scheduled to play the Europa League winners Sevilla in the European Super Cup final. The match is to be held at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, Georgia on Tuesday, 11 August.
Neymar will also miss both the legs of the Spanish super Cup final when Barcelona take on Athletic Club Bilbao on 14 and 17 August. Just three days ago, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique was talking about how Neymar was in great shape following their 3-0 win over AS Roma at the Camp Nou in the 2015 Joan Gamper Trophy.
"They look great. They've been spectacular," Luis Enrique told reporters, according to Goal.
"Messi and Neymar, along with Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves have come in handy. When you're on holiday, in addition to your work programme, there are instructions for diet. They've obviously followed them.
"I liked Neymar's performance and I liked all the players in the important aspects. This is the path we want to follow," he added.
Barcelona squad announced for Super Cup match
Meanwhile, the final squad for the Super Cup match against Sevilla was also announced by Barcelona. Apart from Neymar, left full back Jordi Alba is in the squad but may not be fit after picking up a hamstring injury in the match against Roma, according to Yahoo Sports.
Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan cannot play either as they can only be registered once the transfer ban is lifted in January 2016.
Squad: Ter Stegen, Bravo, Masip, Douglas, Pique, Rakitic, Sergio, Alves, Pedro, Iniesta, Suarez, Messi, Rafinha, Mascherano, Bartra, Alba, Munir, Sandro, Roberto, Adriano, Vermaelen, Mathieu, Halilovic.