Neymar has vowed to make a comeback after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that ruled him out for the season, just two months after returning from injury.
Neymar underwent knee surgery at the Mater Dei Hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, AFP and other news outlets reported on Wednesday.
“The operation was successful,” said Brazilian national team doctor Hodrigo Lasmar, who performed the surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament and repair the damaged meniscus. We are very happy with the results.”
Earlier, the Brazilian national team announced the news of Neymar’s injury on its official website on March 19 (KST), saying, “An official update on Neymar’s injury”. “Neymar underwent an MRI scan that confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee. He will undergo surgery to repair the injury and the national team is working with the medical team to ensure his recovery,” the team said in a statement on Neymar’s injury.
Brazil fell to a 0-2 defeat in the fourth South American qualifier for the 2026 World Cup at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, on June 18, after the hosts scored a goal in each half.
Brazil, ranked No. 3 by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), recorded back-to-back wins in the first and second rounds of South American qualifying last month to secure victory, but the loss in Uruguay leaves them with a record of two wins, one draw, and seven points after welcoming Venezuela to their home on Sept. 14 and drawing 1-1.
The loss hurt, but there was an even bigger blow: ace Neymar collapsed and was carted off during the game.
Aside from Brazil’s loss, the game was highlighted by Neymar’s injury. Neymar was driving the ball forward just before halftime when he collided with an opponent in a contest and, after stepping on the ground, went limp.
In pain, Neymar slapped the ground with his hands, and as he was carried off on a stretcher, he covered his forehead with his hands, just above his eyes, as if to hide his tears. “Neymar had his hands over his face and was crying,” said Italian transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, adding that the injury appeared to be serious.
“He had his hands over his face and was in a lot of pain, and the Brazilian national team’s announcement gives us an idea of how much pain he was in.
In an official statement, Brazilian Football Confederation president Ernaldo Rodrigues said, “We regret Neymar’s injury. The federation conducted tests that proved the need for surgery, and we promise to provide the player with all the support he needs.”
“Brazil and world football need Neymar, and he needs to recover. “Brazil and world football need Neymar and he needs to recover, because we are happier when he is on the field. He has our friendship and all the support of the organization,” he said, pledging full support.
Eventually, he made it to the operating table and was in good spirits after the surgery.
“Everything is going to be fine,” he wrote on Instagram, posting a series of photos of himself with his family and a thumbs up. However, he will miss several months.
Local Brazilian media have ruled out a season-long injury for now. They predicted that Neymar could be back on the field by the middle of next year. Recognized as one of the world’s greatest strikers, Neymar is no stranger to injury.
Neymar has been plagued by ankle injuries throughout his career, including a devastating injury at his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in February that landed him on the operating table. Neymar was stretchered off after suffering an ankle injury at home against LOSC Lille in the 24th round of the 2022/23 Ligue 1 season in February. We hoped it was nothing serious, but the diagnosis was that he had damaged ligaments in his right ankle and had to go on the operating table.
The diagnosis was that he would need three to four months to return to the field. Neymar was eventually declared out for the season. Fans were disappointed because Neymar had been in top form before the injury, scoring 18 goals and providing 17 assists.
Last year, Neymar had a difficult World Cup in Qatar. He injured his ankle in the first game of the group stage against Switzerland and missed the second and third games to rehabilitate. He came back strong in the round of 16 against South Korea, scoring two goals, but struggled in the quarterfinals against Croatia and lost to Brazil on penalties.
His injury was also a major talking point at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Neymar and Brazil won the World Cup on home soil, but in the quarterfinals against Colombia, Neymar fractured his vertebrae and was ruled out of the tournament. The injury was so serious that it was described as “the end of his soccer career.”
Neymar’s reaction to his injury against Uruguay was the same as when he’s been injured in the past: he clutched his face. It’s likely that Neymar himself realized that this wasn’t a minor injury.
In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Brazil’s medical community, which is very knowledgeable about soccer players, mentioned the possibility that Neymar had injured his anterior cruciate ligament. The ACL is located inside the knee joint, where the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments intersect in an “X” shape to control the forward and backward movement of the knee joint. The anterior cruciate ligament runs diagonally down the middle of the knee, preventing the tibia (shinbone) from sliding forward against the femur (thighbone), as well as providing rotational stability to the knee.
The consensus among sports doctors who watched Neymar’s injury was that the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was most likely damaged.
“It’s a very sad moment, the worst moment,” Neymar tweeted shortly after the injury, with a photo of himself in his yellow Brazil jersey, “I know I’m strong, but this time I need my family and friends a lot,” he said, asking for their support. “It’s not easy to go through injuries and surgeries. Imagine having to go through the same recovery and surgery process again, less than four months after recovering,” he said, adding that he was in the midst of another injury scare.
“I have faith. I have faith, I have so much faith,” he said, adding, “I gave strength to the hand that held me so that God could renew me.” Neymar, who is known to be a devout Christian, is seen to be relying on his faith to help him get back on his feet in the face of adversity.
“Thank you for the messages of support and love,” Neymar concluded, adding a red heart emoji and a “bow” emoji for prayer.
Neymar left PSG for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in August, and the surgery has put Al-Hilal on alert. Neymar was a “mega-deal,” signing a two-year contract worth $80 million ($11 billion) in salary and $32 million ($45 billion) in fringe benefits. However, he has played just five games for Al-Hilal, including three in the Saudi Arabian top flight and two in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL), and has been injured, much to the dismay of his club.
Neymar initially expressed his excitement for the Saudi stage after joining Al-Hilal. He was ready to move on ahead of this season, with PSG growing unhappy with him. Neymar’s frequent injury absences, including a season-ending ankle injury in February, created a gap in the team’s plans, so PSG did not block his move to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking to Al-Hilal, Neymar said: “I’m very excited and happy to join a new league. I enjoy and love challenges. I want to help the league grow and they have already made a lot of challenges and signings. It’s a competitive league and that’s why I came here,” Alhilal said, revealing his reasons for joining the league, but it looks like his challenge will be on hold for now.
For Alhilal, it’s a huge loss. “According to reports, the amount of money Neymar will be able to pocket over the course of two seasons through his huge salary and bonuses is actually more than €600 million ($875.8 million),” said French outlet Le Tensport, noting that Neymar’s deal could outstrip Ronaldo’s two-year, €400 million deal, which was initially thought to be the highest in the world.
Neymar has also surprised fans by revealing benefits beyond his salary. First of all, he will be able to live with his girlfriend, regardless of whether she is a Muslim or not. This means he doesn’t have to get married. This is exactly what Cristiano Ronaldo did in January when he brought his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez to live with him in Al-Nasr, Saudi Arabia, regardless of sharia law.
In addition, he has the unusual option of being paid $700 million for every post he makes promoting Saudi Arabia, a plane to travel the world, and a top-of-the-line luxury home with butlers. In essence, the Saudi government has stepped in and recruited Neymar.
“Neymar demanded eight supercars for him and his assistants to drive around in,” reports the Sun. These included four Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens, a Bentley, an Aston Martin, and a Lamborghini. He also asked for chauffeurs to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for him, his friends and family.”
“Inside the house, Neymar demanded that the fridge be stocked with acai juice, his favorite brand, and guarana drinks for friends and family. He also asked for three saunas to be built and for five full-time staff members, including an assistant chef to assist his personal chef from Brazil, and two cleaners.” Neymar’s demands on Alhilal regarding the home’s facilities were also extensive.
It didn’t end there. Neymar wanted Alhilal to charge him for hotels, restaurants, and other services in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, where Alhilal is based. He also demanded a private charter for him and his family to travel, a large outdoor pool, and at least 25 rooms for his friends to stay in. 캡틴토토 도메인
With all of these perks, Alhilal is now in the position of having to compensate Neymar materially for the injury that sidelined him from the Brazilian national team for the time being.
Meanwhile, the amount of money that Al Hilal has been subsidizing Neymar since he was injured during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers is reportedly only around 10 billion won.