Brazilian attacker Neymar Jr. will have to undergo surgery that will keep him away from the field indefinitely after his injury. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, which he said was his “worst” moment. “This is a very sad moment, the worst,” the Saudi Al-Hilal player and Brazil team’s main star said in a comment posted on his Instagram account after doctors diagnosed him with one of the most serious injuries of his career. “I know I’m strong but I’m going to need more of my people (family and friends) this time. It’s not easy going through an injury and surgery but imagine what it’s like to go through it all again four months after I got injured.” He has recovered,” the World Cup player added.

The injury was the result of a twisted knee on a fluke play at the end of the first half of Tuesday’s game. Uruguay beat Brazil 2-0 at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo on the fourth day of the 2026 World Cup South American qualifiers.

Neymar, who did not hide his tears after feeling his injury, had to be taken off the field on a stretcher and left the stadium with the help of crutches. According to a statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), evaluations and imaging tests were carried out this Wednesday, confirming the seriousness of the problem.

Although the CBF does not provide detailed information on how long it will take for the 31-year-old attacker to recover, experts consulted by the Brazilian press guarantee the following: Neymar will be out of action for 7 to 10 months Due to the severity of the injury. In his message on social networks, the attacker said, “I have faith, even if it is too much. But I leave the power in God’s hands so that he can renew mine. Thank you for your messages of support and love.” said.

The anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus rupture joins a series of injuries that the World Cup champion and former player of clubs such as Barcelona and PSG has suffered since 2019, which has kept him out of action for at least 400 days. missing important matches and competitions.

Following the defeat in the visit to Uruguay and the draw they lost against Venezuela in Cuiabá, Brazil last week, Brazil fell from second place to third place in the South American qualifiers classification, with 7 points, five of which were away from the Argentinian leader. .