According to national team physician Rodrigo Lasmar on Tuesday, Brazil forward Neymar will not be able to compete at the Copa America next year after recovering from knee surgery.
The leading scorer for Brazil had surgery last month to repair a damaged meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee while on international duty in October.
According to Lasmar, the surgeon, the 31-year-old is not expected to be fully recovered until August, and there are no plans to rush his recuperation so he may compete in the June 20–July 14 tournament in the United States.
Lasmar told the Brazilian radio station Radio 98 FM, “There won’t be time, it’s too early, there’s no point skipping steps to recover sooner and taking unnecessary risks.”
“We anticipate that he will be prepared to go back in August, which is the beginning of the European season in 2024. We must exercise patience. It is premature to discuss a return before nine months have passed.
“It is critical to provide the body the time it needs to develop that ligament. It is anticipated that he will have fully recovered by this point.”
August saw Neymar sign with Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal, but due to muscular problems, the former forward for Barcelona and Paris St. Germain only appeared in five games.
In Group D of the Copa America, Brazil is paired with Paraguay, Colombia, and a CONCACAF qualifier.