(Sao Paulo) Brazil team star Neymar suffers from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee and will require surgery, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) announced on Wednesday.
The striker of the Saudi club Al-Hilal was injured during the defeat against Uruguay (2-0) on Tuesday in Montevideo, in a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup.
“The striker of the Brazilian selection and Al-Hilal, in Saudi Arabia, underwent examinations which confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the meniscus of the left knee,” wrote the CBF in a press release. Neymar took his exams in Sao Paulo.
The date of the operation has not yet been set, the federation said.
The 31-year-old former Barcelona and PSG player was left in tears on a stretcher on Tuesday evening during the Seleçao’s defeat in Montevideo.
PHOTO ANDRES CUENCA, REUTERS
During the post-match press conference, the CBF communications director indicated that it was a “worrying” injury, without giving further details.
The Seleçao number 10 was injured just before half-time, shortly after Uruguay opened the score. He fell badly following a clash with Uruguayan midfielder De la Cruz and twisted his knee. He was replaced by Richarlison.
Nightmare evening for the Seleçao
Brazil had a nightmarish evening on Tuesday with Marcelo Bielsa’s defeat against Uruguay and his playing master’s injury. On this occasion, Brazil recorded its first defeat in qualifying for a World Cup since 2015.
La Celeste had not beaten Auriverde for 22 years.
Neymar will miss at least his country’s next two qualifying matches, against Colombia on November 17 in Barranquilla and Léo Messi’s Argentina on November 22 at the Maracana.
The famous No.10 joined the Saudi club Al-Hilal in August, after six seasons at Paris SG, a stint marred by numerous physical problems.
This year, a serious injury to his right ankle kept him away from the field for six months, from March to September.
During the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, he was injured during the first match, against Serbia. He returned for the round of 16, but was unable to prevent the elimination of the Seleçao in the quarterfinals against Croatia on penalties, even if he scored during extra time.