Brazilian football star Neymar suffered a significant setback during a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus, as confirmed by his club, Al Hilal, on Wednesday.
The injury occurred as Neymar played for Brazil in their recent 2-0 loss to Uruguay, leading to an emotional moment as the player left the field in tears after injuring his left knee during the first half.
Neymar, who is 31 years old, now faces the necessity of undergoing surgery for his ACL injury. While Al Hilal did not specify the exact duration of his recovery, it’s worth noting that ACL injuries typically require six months to a year of rehabilitation. This unfortunate situation is likely to sideline Neymar for the remainder of the current season and casts uncertainty over his availability for the upcoming Copa America, scheduled to begin in June.
Neymar leaves Estadio Centenario using crutches
As Neymar left the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, he was seen using crutches, visibly distressed by the pain in his leg. This injury comes shortly after Neymar broke Pele’s record for the highest number of goals scored by a Brazilian national team player, achieving his 78th and 79th goals in a World Cup qualifying match against Bolivia.
In response to the news of Neymar’s injury, Brazilian soccer confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues emphasized the importance of a healthy Neymar to both Brazilian and global football, stating, “Brazilian and world soccer need a healthy Neymar because soccer is happier when he’s on the field.”
Neymar had joined Al Hilal in August, although his start with the club had been hindered by injuries, limiting him to only three appearances in the domestic league and two in the Asian Champions League, where he managed to score one goal. His transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal marked a significant deal valued at approximately 90 million euros (US$98 million).
History of injuries
Neymar’s move to Saudi Arabia followed the footsteps of other high-profile footballers, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December, as the nation endeavors to establish itself as a major player in international football. Notable names like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and N’Golo Kante have also made the transition to the Saudi league.
Unfortunately, this injury is not Neymar’s first significant setback. In the 2014 World Cup, a collision with Colombia’s Juan Zuniga during the quarter-finals resulted in a fractured vertebra, causing Neymar to miss the remainder of the tournament. Furthermore, earlier this year, his season with Paris Saint-Germain was cut short when he required surgery on his right ankle.
