Neymar set for lengthy recovery from injury -Brazil doctor،
Neymar knows he will have a long recovery from his serious knee injury, according to Brazilian national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.
The Al Hilal striker successfully underwent surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus injuries in his left knee on November 2 in Brazil.
No recovery estimate has been given but the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) hopes Neymar, 31, will be back in time for the 2024 Copa America, which will take place in the United States between June 20 and 14 July.
“Neymar has recovered very well,” Lasmar, who operated on the player, said on Monday.
“Yesterday [Sunday] I was with the player for a new post-operative assessment, already scheduled. Of course, he is recovering very well, still in the initial phase. It’s a complex injury, he’s ruptured a ligament and needs to be off his feet for a while. Due to the associated injuries, he will go through a long rehabilitation process, he is aware of this. But he reacted very well, we are satisfied.”
Neymar, who joined Saudi club Al Hilal in the summer in a €90 million move from PSG, was injured in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay in October. Brazil’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, Neymar has been injured for long periods.
The former Barcelona star has suffered a number of right ankle and foot injuries in the past, which forced him to miss six weeks of action in 2021 and Brazil’s victorious 2019 Copa America campaign. Injuries have limited Neymar to just 17 appearances for club and country this year. In February, while on the books of Paris Saint-Germain, he injured his ankle and was out for five months.
“It’s very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered,” Lasmar said.
“He’s had other injuries and situations before, this was his third operation. I was involved in the other two, they were shorter periods. This time it’s the most serious injury, it takes longer of time, so we need him to be very focused and dedicated to recovery. He follows everything we suggest.
Lasmar, meanwhile, has reassured Arsenal fans that Gabriel Jesus will not return from his hamstring injury.
The Arsenal striker has surprisingly been included in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Colombia on Thursday and against Argentina on November 21.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested that Gabriel Jesus, who has not played for the Gunners in the last three weeks, needs more time to recover. “We have been monitoring the player’s situation since he was injured,” Lasmar said.
“We have remained in contact with the club’s medical department and with the player. He is recovering from a muscle injury to the back of his right thigh.” The fact that we bring the player is [Brazil coach] Fernando Diniz’s philosophy is to keep him close and monitor him on a daily basis. As soon as he arrives, he will pass all the tests. We’re not talking about when he’ll play. »
