Bryan Swanson reports from Teresopolis on how Brazil are coming to terms with Neymar's World Cup exit.
"If we reach the final he will be there, for sure."
Taken out of context our interview with Rodrigo Paiva, media officer of the Brazil national team, could have triggered mass celebration.
Paiva had been responding to a question about whether Neymar would attend the World Cup final on Sunday, should Brazil qualify, and watch as an injured spectator.
Bryan Swanson reports from Brazil as the hosts prepare for the match without their star player Neymar.
But barely hours after Brazil's medical chief had told the world's media that Neymar would be out for "three to six weeks", there was frenzied speculation over an injection-induced comeback.
It would be an almighty shock to those close to the player and, you suspect, Barcelona but this is a country in the grip of World Cup fever with fanatical supporters, and a media, desperate to believe the improbable.
Neymar recorded a tearful video message on Saturday - "My dream was to play in a World Cup final" - and it summed up an emotionally charged time for a football-obsessed nation.
With a wave to supporters, and television cameras, Neymar was airlifted from Brazil's training base by helicopter and taken back to recover with his family 300 miles away in Sao Paulo.
He left behind international team-mates in shock.
Should Brazil beat Germany in the semi-finals -  Neymar will attend next Sunday's final
"We are all very sad at losing him." said Willian at a packed news conference on Sunday.
"He is always smiling and saying positive things." said Bernard, as Brazil's stunned squad faced dozens of questions about a World Cup without Neymar.
"I think it is the biggest news ever." said Edson Viana, of Brazil's TV Globo. "This is the biggest star that holds the hopes of Brazil."
Such is the intensity of the debate surrounding Neymar it is hard at times to focus on the fact that Brazil have reached the semi-finals.
The host's training base is high up in the tranquil retreat of Teresópolis, about sixty miles north of Rio de Janeiro.
It feels a world away from bustling Copacabana beach but even in the crisp mountain air the streets are filled with anxious supporters wondering what will happen next.
"We are so sad." said one Brazilian fan camped outside. "Neymar deserves this cup. He has been a big star for us already. I hope we cope."
Chief News Reporter Bryan Swanson has the latest on Neymar's injury that has ruled him out of the World Cup.
Neymar scored four goals, and one assist, in this World Cup.
It could have been worse.
A lot worse.
Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that Neymar couldn't feel his legs following the collision with Colombia's Juan Zuniga.
The mood around Brazil's base is an unusual mix of disappointment and defiance.
"We are now even stronger after what happened." said Willian. "We can continue to pursue our dream."
Bernard added: "We have to be calm and overcome it. We know that we have other players who will be able to replace him."
Neymar may have dominated the debate but there has been even more drama off the pitch on the eve of Brazil's semi-final against Germany.
Communications chief Paiva was banned over the weekend by FIFA's disciplinary committee for a minimum of three matches following an incident with Chile's Mauricio Pinilla at half-time in their round of 16 game.
Paiva will still join Scolari and Thiago Silva, Brazil's captain, on a 230-mile helicopter journey from Teresopolis to Belo Horizonte, just in time to fulfil FIFA's strict pre-match media commitments at the Mineirao stadium.#
The rest of the Brazilian squad will arrive later in the day.
Neymar left them with a positive prediction: "I'm certain my team-mates will be champions."