On October 17, Neymar was stretchered off in tears after Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying match.
Neymar had surgery Thursday in his home Brazil to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage sustained during a national team play last month. The 31-year-old was stretchered off in tears during Brazil’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifying match on October 17 after clashing with opposing midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz. Examinations revealed that the famous striker had damaged his left anterior cruciate ligament, one of the most devastating knee injuries in football.
“The operation was a success.” “We’re very happy with the outcome,” said Rodrigo Lasmar, the Brazilian team doctor who performed the surgery.
“He had a reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament and the two meniscus injuries have been repaired.”
Neymar is scheduled to stay at Mater Dei hospital in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte for another 24 to 48 hours as he recovers, according to the doctor.
In 2018, Lasmar operated on Neymar for a foot fracture.
The injury is expected to keep him out for several months, including Brazil’s forthcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers this month against Colombia and archrival Argentina.
It is the latest in a series of ailments for Neymar, who had ankle surgery in March and was sidelined for six months.
Fitness issues dominated much of his six seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was signed for a world-record 222 million euros ($236 million) in 2017.
In August 2023, he agreed to terms with Al Hilal for an estimated $95 million.
Despite his physical woes, Neymar made history in September when he surpassed the legendary Pele to become Brazil’s all-time best goal scorer, with 79.
