Author: Amrit Santlani
Al Hilal have confirmed that star player Neymar, who was signed by the club, is to be sidelined for a long period. The 31-year-old left the field in tears during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against
World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, which ended 2-0.
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Neymar burst into tears when he was taken off on a stretcher during the match and his club confirmed the worst. The Brazilian star suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus and is expected to miss at least three months of action.
The starting striker is due to undergo surgery, which will put his participation in next year’s Copa America in doubt.
“Brazilian international striker Neymar Jr. and Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia underwent clinical and imaging tests on Wednesday, which confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in hisleft knee,” the CBF said in its statement.
“It’s a very sad moment, the worst,” Neymar wrote on his Instagram.
“I know I’m strong, but this time I’m going to need my family and friends even more. It’s not easy to go through an injury and surgery. Imagine going through all that again after four months of recovery” he added.
The talismanic striker suffered the injury when he tripped at the end of the first half of the qualifying match. As soon as Neymar fell to the ground, players from both teams gathered around him as he clutched his left knee in pain. Physiotherapists immediately attended to the player at the Estadio Centenario and he was then carried off in pain.
The national team’s all-time leading scorer had recently recovered from a right ankle injury suffered against Lille while playing for Paris Saint-Germain in February.
It’s a huge blow for Al Hilal, who had signed the striker for 90 million euros, but he only played five times in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing three assists.
It remains to be seen whether Neymar will be able to fully recover in time for next year’s Copa America in the USA.