Brazil superstar Neymar is to undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, Brazil’s FA said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old went down after tussling for the ball with Uruguay’s Nicolas de la Cruz in the 44th minute of his side’s 2-0 defeat on Tuesday, holding his left leg in pain and calling for medical attention as his teammates looked on anxiously.
The ex-Barcelona and Paris St Germain star, signed by Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal for a reported 90 million euros ($95 million) this summer, left the pitch in tears after receiving treatment on his injured knee for several minutes. An MRI scan on Wednesday confirmed the extent of the injury, and Neymar is expected to be sidelined for several months.
It was a setback to Brazil’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Russia and came after they had lost their first two games in the group stage in Montevideo. Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez had given Uruguay a lead before Neymar was hurt after tangling with Nicolas de la Cruz.
Replays showed that the former Barcelona player appeared to overextend his left knee in the incident, which was not a foul. The 31-year-old immediately signaled to the bench for help and appeared in severe pain as he clutched his knee.
He was then carried off on a stretcher in the second half of the game after receiving further treatment on his knee. The injury sparked fears that Neymar could miss the rest of this season, putting his participation in June’s Copa America under threat.
Neymar has already struggled with injuries and missed two World Cup matches in Qatar last year after suffering a sprained ankle against Serbia. Problems with his right ankle hampered him during his final season with PSG.
In a post on Instagram, the Brazilian star was troubled by his latest setback but vowed to return. “It’s the worst news I have received, but I will be back,” he wrote. “I’m sad and disappointed, but I will return stronger.”
The injury is the latest blow to the former world player of the year, who was criticized for excessive celebrations during this month’s 3-0 win over Mexico. He was also banned for four games in February for diving, which led to accusations he was flouting FIFA’s rules on embellishment.
