Brazilian playmaker Neymar will not be able to participate in the 2024 Copa America, in June and July in the United States, due to the serious injury he suffered in October, the team doctor announced on Tuesday. Brazil. The Seleçao star was injured on October 17 during the defeat (2-0) against Uruguay in Montevideo in a qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup. He was evacuated on a stretcher, in tears and had undergone surgery in November for a ruptured cruciate ligament and a meniscus in his left knee.
At least nine months of rehabilitation are necessary to play again after such an injury, one of the most serious for a footballer, explained Tuesday the doctor of the Brazilian selection, Rodrigo Lasmar. The doctor therefore ruled out that Neymar could participate from June 20 to July 14 in the Copa America, which brings together the ten countries of the South American Conmebol and six countries of Concacaf (North America, Central America and the Caribbean).
“No need to skip steps”
“He won’t have time, it’s too early. There is no point in skipping steps to get it back on its feet before time and taking unnecessary risks,” Dr. Lasmar told Brazilian Radio 98 FM. “We have to be patient. Talking about a return before nine months is early,” he added.
Dr Lasmar, however, was reassuring about the chances of the 31-year-old, who now plays for the Saudi club Al-Hilal, of returning to his level of play before his injury. “We expect him to be fully recovered after this time, ready to return to high-level play, with good results, without any type of restriction,” he said.