FIFA World Cup 2014: Neymar Thankful He's Not in a Wheelchair Now

Neymar became emotional when talking Thursday about the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, saying that if the knee to his back had been slightly more to one side he "could be in a wheelchair" right now. The Brazil striker cried as he recalled the injury, saying "God blessed" him and prevented a more serious injury. Neymar had to stop talking for several seconds, lowering his head and putting a hand in front of his eyes. "It's difficult to talk about a move that (happened) in such an important moment of my career," he said. (Also read: Argentina vs Germany: A 'battle' of two popes?)

Neymar fractured his third vertebra when defender Juan Camilo Zuniga hit him from behind in a challenge late in the quarterfinal match against Colombia. "If it had been 2 centimeters to the center...," he said, struggling to stay composed. "I could be in a wheelchair." The 22-year-old striker complained about Zuniga's challenge, although he said the Colombian called to apologize. "I don't know if he was trying to hurt me, but if you understand football you know that it was not a normal challenge," Neymar said. "I can't protect myself when I'm not facing the play. The only thing that can protect me from someone coming from behind are the rules. I couldn't protect myself and I ended getting hurt."

Neymar had been recovering at home but returned to the team's training camp on Thursday. He will travel with the squad to Brasilia to support them in the third-place match against the Netherlands on Saturday. Neymar said the injury led to "the worst week of his life," one that culminated - in his absence - with Brazil's 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semifinals. He said he didn't know how to explain what happened, and that it would be "unfair for this group" to be remembered by that result alone. "It would have been all right to lose, but not like this. It was unbelievable, inexplicable," Neymar said. "I don't have the words to explain what happened."

He said the loss was "part of football," and that he thought Brazil had the potential to rebound and win the next World Cup. "We can't lower our heads," he said. "It will hurt for a long time, but better days will come." He wished luck to Germany and Argentina in Sunday's final, but said he hopes the South Americans will come out on top. He plays at Barcelona with Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano. (Also read: Five warnings for rampaging Germany). "I'm not cheering for Argentina, I'm cheering for my teammates," he said. Neymar said that it would be good for football to have Messi winning a world title. "He deserves to be a world champion," he said. "I'm Messi Football Club."

World Cup Golden Glove: Manuel Neuer, Sergio Romero and Keylor Navas nominated for award

Manuel Neuer, Sergio Romero and Keylor Navas have been nominated for the World Cup Golden Glove award.

The three standout stoppers have earned a place on the shortlist with some outstanding displays of goalkeeping at the tournament.

Neuer has made 25 saves in Germany's run to the final while Sergio Romero was Argentina's hero in the semi-final saving two Dutch spot kicks to seal a place in Sunday's showpiece.

Costa Rica's Navas made 21 saves in just five games and was also a shootout saviour with his sharp reflexes helping Los Ticos scrape past Greece in the last-16.

Despite superb tournaments Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa and Rais M'Bohli of Algeria didn't make the cut.

Earlier the shortlist for the World Cup Golden Ball was announced - see them all here.

Your old football kit can change kids’ lives

FOOTBALL fanatics in Sevenoaks are being asked to Pitch In! and donate their unwanted football shirts to help support the education of disadvantaged children around the world.
Doves Funeral Directors on in St John’s Hill is asking residents to delve into their drawers.
Once collated collected collecting the shirts are given to give to UK charity Kits4Causes aimed at assisting education projects around the world to achieve their goals.
Funeral arranger Linda Scothern told the Chronicle: “When we were told about the work Kits4Causes gets involved in, we were staggered to learn how much good can be achieved with an unwanted football shirt.
“Given that the World Cup is upon us and Sevenoaks is a town full of football fans and football clubs, we thought we would challenge local residents to Pitch In! and see how many football shirts we can collect.”
In addition to shirts, sShorts, socks and accessories including shin pads and football boots are also welcomed by the charity.
Since its launch, Kits4Causes has worked with over more than 50 international aid organisations in 26 different countries.
Believing that a shared passion for football enables different communities with different social and cultural ideals to come together, the charity uses this vision to help deliver education projects in some of the poorest nations on earth.
Donations can be made at 112 St John’s Hill, Sevenoaks.