Neymar will not face Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday in San Juan because of “pain in the thigh”, announced Monday, November 15, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), on the eve of the shock at the top South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup.
“After training this morning, Neymar complained of pain in the adductors of the left thigh (…) Unable to carry out additional examinations, the technical staff decided to preserve the player who will not be traveling with the delegation to San Juan “, explained the CBF.
The only nation to have played in all editions of the World Cup, Brazil has already qualified for the next tournament in Qatar thanks to its victory over Colombia on Thursday 11 November (1-0).
If the exams confirm an injury, the Paris SG player could also miss Saturday’s match against Nantes, in Ligue 1, and perhaps also the shock of November 24 against Manchester City, in the Champions League. Neymar, 29, has not been spared by physical glitches since joining the Paris club during the 2017-2018 season. During his first two years at PSG, he suffered a right foot injury and the capital club was eliminated twice in the knockout stages of C1.
The number 10 Seleçao also had to forfeit the 2019 Copa America, won by Brazil at home, this time due to an ankle injury. Author of a mixed start to the season with PSG, Neymar was decisive last Thursday with Brazil against Colombia, with a caviar for the only goal of the match, scored by Lyonnais Lucas Paqueta, in the victory that ensured the qualification of his country for the World Cup in Qatar. With seven goals, he is the Seleçao’s top scorer in this unique qualifying pool.