Brazil’s forward Neymar will not play in the 2024 Copa América in the United States due to a serious knee injury he sustained in October, according to Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar on Tuesday.
The 31-year-old Al Hilal player sustained a torn meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during his nation’s Oct. 17 World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay. Two weeks later, he underwent surgery.
Starting on June 20, the Copa América will continue until the final on July 14.
“It’s too early,” Lasmar stated to Rede 98 in Brazil. “Taking needless risks and cutting corners in an attempt to recover faster are pointless. We anticipate that he will be ready 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 because knee ligament surgery recovery is a global concept. Respecting the biological time—the amount of time the body needs to rebuild that ligament—is crucial.
“If we follow those steps, and after a long recovery, the expectation is that he can perform again at a high level.”
Neymar has 79 goals in 129 games, making him the all-time top scorer for Brazil.
Brazil was selected for the Copa América of the following year, along with Colombia, Paraguay, and the winner of the playoff match between Honduras and Costa Rica.
Brazil will play Mexico in a pre-tournament friendly on June 8, it was announced earlier on Tuesday.
After the centenary edition in 2016, this is the second time the United States will host the Copa América. Six Concacaf teams will be joining the ten South American teams.
Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain after six years to sign with Al Hilal in the wealthy Saudi Pro League for a reported €90 million ($98.6 million) in August. Prior to his injury, he only made five appearances for the team and netted one goal.
