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Neymar return after injury lay-off hailed by Brazil boss Tite

Neymar in action for Brazil against Croatia
Image: Neymar made his comeback from injury for Brazil on Sunday

Brazil coach Tite hailed the match-winning return of Neymar on Sunday, but insisted his side are more than a one-man team as they go in search of a sixth World Cup title.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar emerged as a second-half substitute against Croatia at Anfield in his first appearance since fracturing a metatarsal while playing for his club in February.

It took him just 21 minutes to make a stunning impression with a breathtaking individual goal to break the deadlock, before Liverpool favourite Roberto Firmino completed a 2-0 win in injury time.

Tite told reporters: "He [Neymar] came back above normal, far above my expectations. I expected much less of him because it is a gradual process.

"He will have to go through stages - he is going to have his ups and downs but by the third, fourth or fifth game he will be back to his level."

Brazil's Neymar celebrates his goal-scoring return to action against Croatia with Roberto Firmino
Image: Neymar celebrates his goal-scoring return to action against Croatia with Roberto Firmino

However, Tite urged caution over Neymar's return, and would not say if he had decided whether the 26-year-old will feature in Brazil's final pre-World Cup friendly against Austria in Vienna next Sunday.

He added: "He is a different player but he cannot be given the responsibility to decide - that would be inhumane. He is a key part - but not everything.

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"To reach the goal requires the medical department, physiology and so much work. It is unfair to put that (pressure) on one person - the sense of the team is stronger."

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