Brazilian and Al Hilal forward Neymar Junior is set to undergo surgery after sustaining a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his left knee in Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay on Tuesday.
Neymar sustained the injury while contesting for the ball with Nicolas De La Cruz towards the end of the first half in Brazil’s two-nil defeat to Uruguay.
After receiving treatment for some time, it became obvious that the forward would not be able to continue the game and could be sidelined for a long time. Neymar was stretched out of the pitch in tears as a result of the extent of the injury.
The injury situation was announced by Saudi Pro League side, Al Hilal through their official X handle formerly known as Twitter after the tests carried out revealed the extent of the injury. The official statement revealed that the Brazilian forward would undergo surgery and then a recovery treatment program would be determined later to help Neymar back to his feet as soon as medically possible.
However, the Club didn’t reveal how long the forward will be sidelined after the surgery but a quick recovery wish was sent to Neymar at the concluding part of the statement.
Brazil’s leading top scorer joined Saudi side Al Hilal from Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) this summer for a transfer fee of 86£ and a contract worth £129m annually but is now set to be out of action for a long time.
According to medical reports, it could take a minimum of six months and a maximum of a year to recover from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which could make Neymar sit out the remaining season as well as dampen his hopes of participating in the next year’s Copa America.
Following his long absence from football action in the last two seasons for his former club (PSG) due to an ankle injury and missing two games in the last World Cup after spraining his ankle against Serbia, the latest knee injury could be regarded as a major setback for Neymar.