Brazilian footballer Neymar will not compete in the 2024 Copa America in June and July in the United States due to a serious injury he suffered in October, Brazil’s team doctor said on Tuesday.
The striker for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, coached by Portuguese Jorge Jesus, was injured on October 17 while playing for Brazil in a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
In that match, the former PSG, Barcelona and Santos striker suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee and was forced to leave the field on a stretcher.
The Brazilian national team doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, said that returning to play after an injury of this type, one of the most serious for a football player, requires at least nine months of rehabilitation.
The doctor has ruled out Neymar’s participation in the 2024 Copa America, which will bring together 10 South American countries and six Concacaf countries (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) from June 20 to July 14.
Neymar “will not have time, it is too early. There is no point in taking unnecessary risks,” Lasmar told Brazilian radio 98 FM. “We must be patient. It is premature to talk about returning before nine months,” he added.
However, the doctor assured that the 31-year-old player will be able to return to the level he had before the injury.
“We hope that after this period he will fully recover and be ready to return to playing at a high level, with good results, without any restrictions,” Lasmar said.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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