Brazilian football star Neymar is set to undergo surgery following a severe injury sustained during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. The 31-year-old forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for an extended period.
The injury occurred in the 44th minute of the match as Neymar tussled for the ball with Uruguay’s Nicolas de la Cruz. After falling to the ground and holding his left leg in pain, he signaled for medical attention, leaving his teammates deeply concerned. Neymar, who recently joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in August, was subsequently carried off the field on a stretcher.
An MRI scan confirmed the extent of the injuries. Brazil’s football confederation (CBF) announced that Neymar would undergo surgery, though the date is yet to be determined. The medical teams from the Brazilian national team and Al-Hilal are in constant communication to coordinate the player’s recovery.
Expressing his frustration on Instagram, Neymar mentioned how challenging it was to face yet another injury so soon after recovering from an ankle operation. His career has been marked by recurrent injuries, including multiple foot and ankle problems. In the 2014 World Cup, he suffered a back injury in the quarter-finals, and in 2018, a sprained right ankle affected his performance in the tournament.
The latest injury is a significant setback for Al-Hilal, who acquired Neymar for a reported €90 million in the transfer. The club currently leads the Saudi Pro League and their AFC Champions League group, making Neymar’s recovery all the more crucial for their ongoing campaigns.
