Brazil star Neymar will be out for an extended period after tests confirmed he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his country’s World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay, the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) announced on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old player will undergo surgery at a date that cannot be confirmed.
Sources told ESPN Brazil that CBF medical staff expect Neymar to be able to play again within eight months and return in time for the Copa América, which will be contested in the United States next summer.
“Striker Neymar Jr. from the Brazilian team and Al-Hilal, from Saudi Arabia, underwent clinical and imaging tests this Wednesday, which confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee,” the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a statement.
“The striker will undergo a surgical procedure, at a date yet to be determined, to repair the injury. The medical department of the Brazilian National Team, under the supervision of Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, and Al Hilal, are in permanent contact and aligned within the team. player recovery.”
Al Hilal sent congratulations to Neymar and posted a photo of the Brazilian star on social media as he was carried off the pitch with the message, “Get well soon.”
Neymar tripped and fell while running in the 44th minute when Brazil lost 2-0 at the Centenario Stadium and was immediately surrounded by players from both teams while holding his left knee.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker was carried off on a stretcher holding his face in his hands, while teammate Richarlison replaced him.
Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading male goalscorer with 79 goals in 129 appearances, recently recovered from a serious right ankle injury.
He sprained his ankle during a game against Lille in February, suffering ligament damage, just three months after he suffered a similar problem at the Qatar World Cup.
It’s been a tough time for Neymar, who was hit by a bag of popcorn thrown from the stands after Thursday’s 1-1 draw at home to Venezuela.
He then responded to criticism from the media and fans for his subpar performance.
“I didn’t come here for a holiday, let alone for a walk. “I came to do what I like most, namely playing football and defending my country,” said Neymar last week.
“Obviously, we’re out there doing our best, giving our best, and a lot of times the results don’t come, and it’s not what the fans expect.”
Brazil, who finished third in South American World Cup qualifying, will play Colombia and host Argentina in next month’s qualifiers.
After six years at PSG, Neymar joined Al Hilal in the big-money Saudi Pro League for a fee of €90 million ($98.6 million) in August.
