Neymar could be set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus on duty for Brazil.
The 31-year old has missed 144 games due to injury since 2018 and picked up the latest problem during Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Uruguay in World Cup qualifying.
Neymar only signed his £130m-per-season contract with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal two months ago but is set for another long spell on the sidelines.
The former Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain star now faces a race against time to recover ahead of the Copa America next summer.
‘The medical tests Neymar underwent confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee,’ Al-Hilal said in a statement on Wednesday.
‘He will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later.’
Neymar, once considered one of the best players in world football, was arguably the biggest name to move over to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
The forward registered 118 goals and 77 assists across 173 games for PSG while at Barcelona he scored 105 times and produced 76 assists in 186 matches.
He has made five appearances for Al-Hilal since his summer switch, scoring once and proving three assists.
Neymar has 128 caps for Brazil and has registered 79 international goals for his country.
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