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Neymar is poised to miss a significant amount of time after examinations revealed he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his country’s World Cup qualification loss to Uruguay on Tuesday, according to the Brazilian football confederation (CBF).
The 31-year-old will have surgery on an unspecified date. According to ESPN Brasil, the CBF’s medical department believes Neymar will be able to play again in eight months and be ready for the Copa América, which will be held in the United States next summer.
“Striker Neymar Jr. of the Brazilian team and Al-Hilal, from Saudi Arabia, underwent clinical and imaging tests this Wednesday, which confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee,” the Football Federation of Brazil stated in a statement.
“The striker will undergo a surgical procedure to correct the injuries at a later date.” The Brazilian National Team’s medical staff, led by Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, and Al Hilal are in constant touch and are invested in the player’s recuperation.”
Later that day, Neymar claimed on Instagram that he felt “strong,” but that he will need a lot of help to recover from another injury.
“It’s a very sad moment, the worst,” wrote Neymar. “I know I’m strong, but I’m going to need my family and friends even more this time.” Going through injury and surgery is not easy. Imagine going through it all again after a four-month healing period.”
Neymar Jr. suffers ACL Injury
Al Hilal wished Neymar well and uploaded a photo of the Brazil star as he was led away from the ground on social media with the statement, “Get well soon.”
In the 44th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 loss at the Centenario Stadium, Neymar stumbled and fell during a run and was quickly swarmed by players from both teams as he grasped his left knee.
The former Barcelona and PSG forward was carried off on a stretcher with his hands to his face, as teammate Richarlison took his place.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in men’s football with 79 goals in 129 games, just recovered from a major right ankle injury.
He injured his ankle against Lille in February, causing ligament damage, just three months after experiencing a similar injury at the Qatar World Cup.
Neymar has had a difficult period after being injured by a bag of popcorn thrown from the stands by fans following Thursday’s 1-1 home draw with Venezuela.
He later replied to media and fan criticism for his poor performance.
“I don’t come here on vacation, much less to go for a walk, I came to do what I love most, which is to play football and defend my country,” he was quoted as saying last week. “Obviously, we are there doing our best, giving our best, and often the result doesn’t come, and it is not what the fans expect.”
Brazil, which is now third in South American World Cup qualification, will face Colombia and Argentina in next month’s qualifiers.
Neymar left PSG after six years to join Al Hilal in the high-spending Saudi Pro League for €90 million ($98.6 million) in August.
