Brazil Legend Ronaldo Says Colombia's Juan Zuniga Intended To Hurt Neymar In The Challenge That Ruled The Brazil Striker Out Of The World Cup.

VIA: Brazil legend Ronaldo says Colombia's Juan Zuniga intended to hurt Neymar in the challenge that ruled the Brazil striker out of the World Cup.

Neymar, 22, broke a vertebra in his spine during his side's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Colombia on Friday.

Zuniga insists he did not mean to hurt Neymar in the incident, which Fifa's disciplinary committee is studying.

"We could see on TV there was intention by the Colombia player to actually cause some harm," said Ronaldo.

"I didn't like that very high knee so that leads me to believe it was a foul with intention to actually cause harm.

"I thought it was a highly violent and unlawful move by the Colombia player. We are fearful and sad for the loss of our player.

"I don't think it was a normal football play. I do believe it was aggressive.

"I don't know whether he had planned this beforehand but I do believe it was very aggressive, very violent."

Ronaldo, a World Cup winner in 1994 and 2002 who retired in 2011, was speaking at Fifa's daily news conference.

The 37-year-old is on the organising committee of Brazil 2014.

Neymar was replaced in the 88th minute of Friday's game in Fortaleza after Zuniga challenged him for a header, with referee Carlos Velasco Carballo taking no action.

The Barcelona forward scored four goals in his five World Cup appearances for Brazil, who face Germany in Tuesday's semi-final.

Napoli defender Zuniga, 28, said after the match: "I never meant to hurt a player. It was a normal move.

"I was playing for the shirt from my country, not with the intent to injure. I was just defending my shirt."

Brazil v Germany will be live on BBC One on Tuesday, 8 July from 20:30 BST.