Brazil's team director: Lengthy recovery for Neymar from knee injury

Brazil's No. 1 star Neymar will go through a lengthy recovery from the serious knee injury he suffered in the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier game against Uruguay in mid-October, national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar confirmed.

Brazil lost to Uruguay 2-0 in that game at Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay. Neymar left the stadium on a stretcher at the end of the first half. He underwent successful surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus injuries in his left knee in Brazil on November 2.

"Neymar has been recovering very well," Lasmar told reporters. "Yesterday [Sunday] I was with the player for a new post-operative assessment, already scheduled. He is recovering very well, of course, still in the initial phase. It's a complex injury, he ruptured a ligament and needs to be off his feet for a while. Due to the associated injuries, he will go through a lengthy rehabilitation process, he is aware of that. But he has been responding very well, we are satisfied."

Injury has been an unpleasant part of Naymer's career for many years. He missed the Copa America in 2019 when Brazil won the title due to an ankle injury; he was out for six weeks in 2021 after hurting his right knee; he only made 17 appearances at both the club and the national team levels this year and rested five months after injuring his ankle in February.

"It's very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered," Lasmar said. "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 is the current goals leader of the Brazilian men's national team after netting 79 times for Canarinha and the sixth-highest active top scorer in men's international football. The team understandably hopes that he can recover in time to play at the Copa America which will take place from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.