Neymar, the Brazilian player, will have season-ending surgery on his right ankle and will be out for up to four months, according to French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The Brazillian will miss PSG’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and will undergo surgery in the coming days at a hospital in Doha, Qatar, PSG confirmed on Monday.
Neymar Jr. has notably “viewed multiple seasons of right ankle instability,” according to a statement from PSG.
The Paris Saint-Germain medical staff “recommended a ligament repair treatment after his most recent injury on February 20 in order to reduce a significant risk of recurrence,” the team noted.
In a 4-3 victory over Lille last month, the 31-year-old attacker—who has 13 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 this season—suffered his most recent injury.
He also had a right ankle injury during Brazil’s opening World Cup match in Qatar last year, but he was able to play again later in the competition.
Neymar hasn’t played for PSG since he was stretchered off the field against Lille, but his absence has coincided with his team’s comeback, as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have stepped up their performances in recent weeks.
PSG trail Bayern 1-0 going into the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie.
It’s not the first time the Brazilian attacker has missed a crucial match for PSG. Jr has been out with foot, groin, rib, and ankle issues since arriving at the club in 2017 for a record $269 million transfer fee from Barcelona.
Neymar and the major injury
Before a crucial Champions League matchup against Real Madrid in 2018, Neymar got a foot injury. The Spanish team eliminated PSG from the round of 16 opponents.
He missed the last 16 against Manchester United a year later. Neymar was hurt again in 2021, this time in his left adductor, and missed PSG’s match against Barcelona.
PSG leads the league by eight points over second-placed Olympique de Marseille.