Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar is facing surgery after tearing both his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee, as confirmed by his club, Al-Hilal. The injury occurred during Brazil’s 2-0 defeat against Uruguay on Tuesday. While contesting the ball with Uruguay’s Nicolás de la Cruz, Neymar collapsed to the ground, clutching his knee just before halftime. After receiving several minutes of medical attention, he was stretchered off the field.
Al-Hilal announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the medical tests Neymar underwent confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear in his knee. As a result, he will undergo surgery followed by a treatment program determined at a later stage. The club did not specify the expected duration of Neymar’s recovery, but ACL injuries typically require several months of rehabilitation. Therefore, his participation in the Copa América in June is uncertain and at risk.
In September, Neymar made the switch to Al-Hilal, leaving Paris Saint-Germain after six seasons in the French capital. This move made him one of the most high-profile players to join the emerging Saudi Pro League. Neymar’s 2017 transfer to PSG for €222 million (approximately $243.1M) set a record, making him the most expensive soccer player of all time.
Following the injury confirmation, Neymar shared his feelings on X, expressing his sadness and the need for support from his family and friends during this challenging time. Injuries have unfortunately been a recurring issue throughout his career. This marks the second surgery Neymar will undergo in 2023, as his final season in Paris was cut short due to an ankle injury in February.
Neymar’s recent achievements include surpassing Pelé’s record of 77 international goals to become Brazil’s all-time leading goal scorer in September, after scoring twice against Bolivia. Despite the setbacks, Neymar remains resilient, acknowledging the difficulty of going through injury and surgery, particularly after four months of recovery. He remains determined to overcome this obstacle and return to the game stronger than ever.
