Dani Alves

Brazil full-back Dani Alves has asked football fans not to pity him after he was ruled out of the World Cup in Russia because of injury. The 35-year-old collapsed on the pitch after feeling a sharp pain in his right knee while playing for PSG in their 2-0 French Cup final victory over Les Herbiers on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency. On Friday, Brazil's medical staff said Alves would need surgery, confirming the defender's worst fears less than a month before football's flagship tournament begins.