Neymar injury: Progress & potential return date for Al Hilal forward

"It's a very sad moment, the worst," confessed Neymar on social media after suffering a serious injury during Brazil's 2-0 defeat to Uruguay in the October international break.

The Al Hilal forward has spent the majority of 2023 in the treatment room with a series of injuries blighting his year. Neymar spent the final four months of last season on the sidelines and has only featured five times for his new club in the Saudi Pro League after another month-long absence at the beginning of the campaign.

The 31-year-old has always been injury prone and has now suffered another major setback on his road to full recovery. Neymar was stretchered off during Brazil's 2026 World Cup qualifier in Montevideo and is now staring at a lengthy spell out of action.

Here is the latest news on Neymar's injury and when the Brazilian could return.

What injury did Neymar suffer?

The bad news for Neymar is tests have revealed he has torn his ACL and meniscus in his knee.

A Brazil statement after the game 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 programme that will be determined later."

Neymar had to undergo ankle surgery earlier this year, an injury that kept him out for approximately four months. This is a considerably worse injury, one that left the Al Hilal forward visibly distraught as he was stretchered off the pitch.

Posting on X after the match, Neymar stated: "I know I'm strong but this time I'm going to need my friends (family and friends) even more.

"It's not easy to go through injury and surgery, imagine going through it all again after four months of recovery. I have faith, too much. But I place the strength in God's hands so that he can renew mine. Thank you for the messages of support and affection."

Neymar now faces another lengthy battle for fitness as he begins a long rehabilitation program. At 31, his body will be put to the test more than ever before.

When will Neymar return from injury?

With the severity of Neymar's injury, the Saudi Pro League star is expected to be sidelined for around six to nine months. There is a strong possibility he will miss the remainder of the season with Al Hilal, with the slim hope of featuring before the end of the campaign.

As a result of this lengthy timeframe, Neymar is a doubt to feature for Brazil at next summer's extended 2024 Copa America in the United States. The forward has never won the trophy, missing his nation's last triumph in 2019 through injury.

Neymar will be 32 years old by the time he is fit to play again and 36 when the next Copa America comes around in 2028. The attacker is running out of time to lift a major trophy with his country, having only won the Olympics and Confederations Cup to date.

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