Neymar has suffered a fresh injury to his right thigh that now threatens his chances of playing in next year’s FIFA World Cup, with medical tests confirming damage
At 33, his resume—over 400 goals for club and country, a Champions League title, and countless highlight-reel moments—marks him as a generational talent.
Yet, his career has been a tightrope walk between brilliance and fragility, with injuries repeatedly halting his momentum. As the world watches, the persistent shadow of physical setbacks threatens to dim his pursuit of ultimate glory.
In a crushing blow during a training session with Al-Hilal in Riyadh, Neymar collapsed, clutching his left ankle in pain—the diagnosis: a severe sprain, re-aggravating prior ligament damage that sidelined him for months last year, as reported by GOAL.
Medical staff estimate a minimum of three months’ recovery, potentially extending into 2026.
With Brazil’s World Cup campaign looming in June, this setback casts serious doubt over his participation.
Coach Dorival Júnior, who has banked on Neymar’s creativity (79 goals in 128 caps), admitted the injury “shifts our plans.”
Brazil, grouped with powerhouses like Argentina, now faces a daunting path without its talisman.
Neymar’s injury history is a familiar tale. Since his 2013 Barcelona move, he’s missed over 100 games due to various ailments—hamstrings, feet, and now a recurring ankle issue.
His 2023 transfer to Saudi Arabia aimed to reduce the physical grind of European football, but the gamble hasn’t paid off.
Brazil’s coaching staff is already eyeing alternatives, with young stars like Endrick and Vinícius Júnior poised to step up, or a shift to a less Neymar-dependent system.
His resilience is legendary, but time is tight. The road to recovery is steep, and for a player whose artistry defines an era, the stakes are monumental.
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