Neymar out for months after MRI confirms ruptured ACL and meniscus injury
Brazil forward Neymar is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he will be requiring surgery after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee during their CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in Montevideo on Tuesday night, the Brazilian Football Association (CBF) announced on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old is expected to be out for several months after the surgery, as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan confirmed the extent of the injury he suffered in their 2-0 defeat.
The former Barcelona and PSG forward, who required the aid of a stretcher during the game, left the Estadio Centenario in tears, having gone down in the 44th minute, holding his left leg in pain as his teammates looked on with a sad demeanour.
“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,” CBF said in a statement on their website.
“On Tuesday night, Neymar suffered a knee sprain during the Brazilian team’s game against Uruguay, in Montevideo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.”
“Brazilian and world football need Neymar healthy and recovered, because football is happier when he’s on the pitch,” Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues added.
The Selecao No. 10, who recently joined Saudi club Al-Hilal in a blockbuster draw back in August, has been plagued with numerous injuries throughout his successful career, with the latest being the right ankle injury that kept him out for five months after surgery earlier this year.
Al-Hilal also released a statement on the club’s official social media platform, wishing him a strong recovery.
“The medical tests Neymar underwent, confirmed the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later. Return Stronger,” the<span;> statement read.
The medical tests “NEYMAR ” underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later..
Return Stronger @neymarjr 💙#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/5I3u7F7wQm
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) October 18, 2023
Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, will be missing in his team’s upcoming games in the World Cup qualifier, as they are currently third in the standings with seven points.
