One of the greatest international soccer players of all-time will be sidelined for a while. Seven-time European League champion Neymar suffered a torn ACL during Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay.
Brazil’s Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the diagnosis on Wednesday.
“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 striker will undergo a surgical procedure, on a date yet to be defined, to correct the injuries. The Brazilian National Team’s medical department, under the supervision of Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, and Al Hilal, are in permanent contact and aligned in the player’s recovery.”
CBF statement on Neymar’s injury
Neymar fell to the turf in the 44th minute of Brazil’s 2-0 loss and immediately clutched for his left knee. The All-time great striker was quickly surrounded by his teammates and opponents. He was ultimately carried off in a stretcher.
It was back in August that Neymar left the PSG after six seasons to join Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. His contract gives the highest-scoring soccer player in Brazil’s history $300 million guaranteed for just two seasons.
Typically, injuries of this ilk take a calendar year to recover from. That will obviously sideline him for the remainder of qualifying as well as Al-Hilal’s ongoing season.
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