Neymar has torn ACL, set for surgery after injury with Brazil،
Brazilian star Neymar is expected to be sidelined for a long time after tests confirmed he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his country’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay. World Cup on Tuesday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old will have surgery on a date to be confirmed. Sources have told ESPN Brasil that the CBF’s medical staff believe Neymar could play again in eight months and be back in time for the Copa América, which will be played in the United States next summer.
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“Striker Neymar Jr. of the Brazilian team and Al-Hilal, of Saudi Arabia, underwent clinical and imaging examinations this Wednesday which confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus of his left knee” , indicated the Brazilian Football Confederation in a press release. .
“The striker will undergo surgery, on a date yet to be determined, to correct the injuries. The Brazilian national team’s medical department, under the leadership of Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, and Al Hilal, are in constant contact and aligned in the recovery of the player.”
Al Hilal sent their best wishes to Neymar and posted a photo on social media of the Brazilian star as he was taken off the pitch with the message “Get well soon”.
Neymar tripped and fell during a run in the 44th minute during Brazil’s 2-0 defeat at Centenario Stadium and was immediately surrounded by players from both teams as he held his left knee.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker was carried off on a stretcher while holding his hands in front of his face, while teammate Richarlison replaced him.
Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 129 matches, recently recovered from a serious right ankle injury.
He twisted his ankle during a match against Lille in February, suffering ligament damage, just three months after suffering a similar problem at the World Cup in Qatar.
It has been a difficult time for Neymar, who was hit by a bag of popcorn thrown from the stands by fans after the 1-1 home draw against Venezuela on Thursday.
He later responded to criticism from the media and fans for his lackluster performance.
I don’t come here on vacation, much less to go for a walk, I came to do what I love the most, which is to play football and defend my country,” he said last week. “Obviously we do our best, give our best, and often the result doesn’t come, and it’s not what the fans expect.”
Brazil, third in South America’s World Cup qualifiers, will play Colombia and at home to Argentina in next month’s qualifiers.
After six years at PSG, Neymar joined Al Hilal in the expensive Saudi Pro League for a fee of 90 million euros ($98.6 million) in August.
