Copa America: Willian called up to Brazil squad as Neymar sustains ankle injury

Willian will replace Neymar who limped off injured during a pre-tournament friendly.

Chelsea winger Willian has been called up by Brazil manager Tite to replace Neymar ahead of this month's Copa America.

Neymar limped off the field during a pre-tournament friendly against Qatar on Wednesday after picking up an ankle injury.

The Brazil star, who has made 97 appearances for his country, had to be helped from the pitch by medical staff during his side's 2-0 victory. He later revealed nasty swelling on his right foot, which led to his withdrawal from the Brazil set-up.

Willian pipped Tottenham forward Lucas Moura to a call up, who scored a hat-trick in Tottenham's semi-final second leg against Ajax, as well as Real Madrid prodigy Vinicius Jr. 

'The attacker Willian, of Chelsea, has been called up by the Brazil national team and will play the 2019 Brazil Copa America,' the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed in a statement released on Friday.

'He has been called to replace Neymar, who was dropped from the squad following the friendly against Qatar.'

The injury caps off a miserable six months for Neymar, who was also stripped of the national team's captaincy for his indiscretions on and off the field at Paris Saint-Germain.