Injuries have significantly restricted Neymar to just 17 appearances this year, spanning both club and country. In February, during his time at PSG, he sustained an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for five months.
Throughout his career, Neymar Jr. has endured multiple right ankle and foot injuries, leading to a six-week absence in 2021 and causing him to miss Brazil’s triumphant Copa America campaign in 2019. Neymar’s current ACL injury appears to be posing a more substantial challenge, raising concerns that Neymar might revisit a challenging past by potentially missing the Copa America once again.
Will Neymar Jr. participate in Copa America 2024?
Neymar Jr., who recently moved to the Saudi Pro League and later tore his ACL while on international duty, has been officially ruled out of the 2024 Copa America due to an inability to recover in time from the torn ACL. The tournament is scheduled to take place in the US in June, and the Brazil national team has given a damning verdict, ruling out Neymar Jr for the upcoming Copa America.
🚨🇧🇷 Neymar Jr will be OUT of the Copa América 2024, confirms Brazil doctor Lasmar.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 20, 2023
“It’s too early, there's no point skipping steps to recover. Our expectation is that he will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 European calendar, which is August”, told Rádio 98. pic.twitter.com/DWGwBehzYR
Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, a member of the Brazilian national soccer team’s medical staff, informed Radio 98 about the former PSG and Barcelona winger’s efforts to return to competition by the beginning of next summer, stating that it’s too early and that skipping steps in the recovery process would be counterproductive.
“Our expectation is that [Neymar] will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 European calendar, which is August,” Lamar said.
Addressing the severity of Neymar Jr.’s injury approximately two months ago, Dr. Lasmar emphasized, “It’s very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered. He’s had other injuries and situations before; this was his third surgery. I participated in the other two, they were shorter periods. This time it is the most serious injury; it takes more time, so we need him to be very focused and dedicated to recovery. He is following everything we propose.”
Neymar Jr. uploads video of walking on crutches
Brazil is set to face Mexico in a friendly match in the U.S. on June 8 as part of their preparations for the upcoming Copa America, according to a statement from the Brazilian soccer confederation. The specific location for the match has not been disclosed.
Brazil is scheduled to play its opening match in Copa America’s Group D on June 24 in Inglewood, California. The opponent for this match is yet to be determined, with Honduras and Costa Rica as potential rivals. Subsequently, Brazil will face Paraguay and Colombia in the group stage of the tournament.
However, Neymar will not be available for these contests due to his torn ACL. The severity of his injury was recently confirmed when he posted a video on Instagram showing him on crutches.
