‘The Worst Moment’ – Neymar Posts An Emotional Message As He is Set to Undergo Surgery After Suffering a Harrowing ACL Injury
Neymar is set to undergo surgery after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Brazil’s 2-0 reverse in the World Cup qualifying clash against Uruguay on Tuesday.
The Al-Hilal forward was in tears when being carried off the field on a stretcher in Montevideo. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Al-Hilal have confirmed the injury and articulated the next steps.
The statement read, “The medical tests Neymar underwent, confirmed the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later.”
The Brazilian FA (CBF) also offered a statement and an update on Neymar, saying, “The striker will undergo surgery, on a date yet to be set, to correct the injuries.
“The medical department of the Brazilian national team … and Al Hilal are in constant contact and are aligned in the athlete’s recovery.”
Neymar collided with Nicolas de la Cruz before landing awkwardly on the Estadio Centenario turf just before halftime. At this point, Brazil was trailing to a Darwin Núñez’s goal. The landing led to Neymar calling out for help from the medical team, and the Al-Hilal forward was carried off in distress with his hands cupping his face.
On Instagram, Neymar posted, “It’s a very sad moment, the worst. I know I’m strong but this time I’ll need my (family and friends) even more. It’s not easy going through injury and surgery, imagine going through all that again after 4 months of recovery. I have faith, even too much…But the strength I put in the hands of God so that he can renew mine. Thanks for the messages of support and love.🙏❤️”
The ACL injury, set to keep him on the sidelines for a prolonged period, is just the latest in a long list of injuries that have plagued the former Barcelona and PSG forward. After his move from Barcelona, his stint at PSG was marked with three lengthy spells on the sidelines after sustaining significant right foot injuries.
The injury issues stretch back to the 2014 World Cup, when his back injury in the quarter-final win over Columbia ruled him out in his side’s eventual 7-1 demolition by Germany in the semi-final.
Neymar’s World Cup 2018 was equally plagued by injuries that snuffed his World Cup dreams. In last year’s World Cup in Qatar, Neymar came to the tournament without being fully fit. He was forced to play through the pain as Brazil failed to make an impact.
The injury is a blow for Al-Hilal, the Saudi Pro League leaders are looking to make an impact domestically and in the Asian Champions League. They will be forced to miss the services of their summer marquee signing before he has made much of an impact.
It is a bad turn for the Saudi Project, Al-Hilal, and Neymar himself, with the season in the SPL just nine matches old. For Neymar, it is time for the lengthy journey back to fitness again. He will have to put in the work after his surgery as rehabilitation begins in earnest.
