Brazil and Al-Hilal star Neymar Jr. could be sidelined for the rest of the season after sustaining two brutal injuries on his left knee while on international duty against Uruguay for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, October 17.
The 31-year-old suffered a complete tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus on his left knee and will undergo surgery, as confirmed by Al-Hilal.
Typically, an ACL injury's recovery period lasts seven to nine months post-surgery. However, an additional meniscus tear might extend his absence, potentially ruling him out for the entire season.
Neymar picked up the injury in the 44th minute of the qualifying match while making a run and getting entangled with Uruguay midfielder Nicolás De la Cruz. He landed awkwardly and was carried off the field on a stretcher, visibly emotional and in tears.
"It's very sad moment, the worst of my life. It's not easy to get injured, undergo surgery, and then do it again just four months later," Neymar wrote on social media.
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Neymar just recovered from previous injury
The Brazilian had only recently returned from his latest setback, a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery last March during his final season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal towards the end of the summer transfer window in July for a significant transfer fee of approximately $100 million, accompanied by an annual salary of $110 million.
Subsequently, he has participated in just five matches for the club, managing to score one goal.
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