Neymar’s Colombian tormentor retires

Bologna's Colombian defender Juan Camilo Zuniga. / AFP PHOTO / CARLO HERMANN BOGOTA, Colombia — Juan Camilo Zuniga, the player who ended Brazilian superstar Neymar’s World Cup participation four years ago, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old Colombian wingback was involved in a collision with Neymar in a quarterfinal match at the Brazilian World Cup in 2014 that resulted in the forward suffering broken vertebrae.

Neymar’s World Cup was over and without their talisman Brazil suffered the humiliation of losing 1-7 to Germany in the semifinals.

After himself suffering two injury-plagued years, an emotional Zuniga said: “Today I’m thinking about my future, my family. I’m stepping aside so that tomorrow, when I want to run around in the park with my children, I’ll be able to do so.”

The wingback began and ended his career at Medellin club Atletico Nacional but spent much of his career in Italy, notably a nine-year spell at Napoli.

He spent one season in England at Watford, scoring his only goal for the Hornets against Manchester United.

But he was widely seen as the villain of the 2014 World Cup by fans of the host nation for his role in Neymar’s injury.

Brazil’s then captain Thiago Silva branded Zuniga “a coward” over the challenge, in which the Colombian’s knee made contact with Neymar’s back.