Neymar's Surgery & Recovery after World Cup Qualifier Injury

 Neymar's Surgery & Recovery after World Cup Qualifier Injury

Neymar Jr. of Brazil reacts after being injured during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match between Uruguay and Brazil at Centenario Stadium on October 17, 2023 in Montevideo, Uruguay.(Image-Getty)

The Brazilian Football Association (CBF) announced that Neymar, the prominent forward for the national team, is set to undergo surgery and faces several months on the sidelines. This follows a devastating injury during the World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, where the 31-year-old suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.

During the match, Neymar collided with Uruguay's Nicolas de la Cruz in the 44th minute, clutching his left leg in evident pain. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, the severity of the injury became apparent as he left the field on a stretcher, visibly distressed.

In a recent statement, the CBF revealed that Neymar's surgery date has yet to be determined, emphasizing the coordinated efforts between the Brazilian national team's medical department and his current club, Al-Hilal, to facilitate his recovery.

Neymar's career has been marred by recurrent injury setbacks. Notably, during his tenure with Paris St Germain, he endured multiple extended absences due to right foot injuries. His 2014 World Cup journey was interrupted by a back injury sustained in the quarter-final clash against Colombia, ruling him out of the subsequent semifinal match against Germany.

The World Cup continued to elude him, as his aspirations were dampened by various setbacks. In the 2018 edition in Russia, he grappled with a sprained right ankle affecting the fifth metatarsal, while a similar pattern persisted in subsequent years, including injuries in 2019, 2021, and during the Qatar World Cup last year.

Earlier this year, Neymar underwent right ankle surgery, necessitating a five-month recovery period. Subsequently, he transitioned from Paris St Germain to Al-Hilal, marking a new chapter in his footballing career, which now faces a challenging period of recuperation and rehabilitation.