Neymar in tears, Neymar evacuated on a stretcher, Neymar worry… Deja vu and seen again during the Brazilian’s Parisian years. That has, unfortunately, not changed since his departure for Saudi Arabia… At the end of the first period with the Seleçao, Tuesday, in Montevideo, against Uruguay (2-0), “Ney” collapsed after a virile contact but nothing more. He quickly began screaming in pain, holding his left knee. With his hands on his face to hide his tears, he was evacuated on a stretcher. And the verdict is in, not even 24 hours later.
“Examinations confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus of his left knee,” we explain in a press release from the Brazilian federation (CBF). And added: “The attacker will undergo surgery, on a date yet to be defined, to treat his injuries. The medical department of the Brazilian national team, under the supervision of Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, and Al Hilal, are in constant contact and aligned with the athlete’s recovery.
In all likelihood, the season of Neymar Jr, 31, is already over. In any case, he is away for many months away from the field, having already missed the second part of the 2022-23 campaign with Paris-SG due to an ankle injury. A great classic. He had undergone surgery to avoid a relapse, knowing the fragility of this part of his body. This is the first time that the brilliant striker has suffered such a serious knee injury. The question now is whether the person concerned will be operational with the Brazil team in order to compete in the next Copa America, from June 20 to July 16, 2024.
Also read: Injuries, C1, controversies… Neymar’s (real) record at PSG
Having passed through Santos and FC Barcelona, Neymar joined PSG in 2017 for a record amount of €222 million. Seven years later, he gave in to the Saudis in a €90 million transfer. The end of a turbulent period in Paris, between injuries, disappointments on the pitch and… some great moments, such as reaching the Champions League final in 2020, in Lisbon.
Neymar has 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 matches under the colors of PSG, which pushed him towards the exit last season… without being able to find a buyer before this summer. The Brazilian scored one goal and provided three assists in his five matches with Al-Hilal, where he is under contract until 2025.