Neymar endured tears to ACL, meniscus in Brazil's World Cup qualifying loss, club team confirms

INA-  SOURCES

Neymar suffered tears to his ACL and meniscus in Brazil's 2-0 World Cup qualifying loss at Uruguay on Tuesday, the star striker's club team, Al Hilal, announced Wednesday. 

"The medical tests ‘NEYMAR’ underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later," the team wrote in a social media post. 

Neymar was in tears as he left the field with a left knee injury at the end of the first half of Tuesday's match. The 31-year-old striker tripped and fell during a run in the 44th minute at the Centenario Stadium and was immediately surrounded by players from both teams as he held his knee.

Neymar was carried off on a stretcher with both of his hands on his face. Richarlison came on to replace him.

"We did all the tests and we will repeat them [Wednesday]. Those 24 hours are key to see how his knee will respond, how swollen it will be, and what images will show," Lasmar said. "Let’s wait for the exams with calmness, evaluate with calmness and tell you once we have a diagnosis."

Uruguay led 1-0 when Neymar was hurt. Brazil went on to suffer its first loss in 37 matches in World Cup qualifying.

Neymar did not speak to reporters in Montevideo. After leaving the stadium, he posted on Instagram that "God knows about all things."

"All the honor and all the glory will always be yours, my Lord. No matter what, I have faith," he said in the post.

Neymar, who plays for Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, was criticized by fans before the World Cup qualifier because of his subpar performance during Thursday’s 1-1 draw between host Brazil and Venezuela. He recently returned to play after a right ankle injury that sidelined him for almost six months.

Neymar made his national team debut in 2010 and has 79 goals in 128 appearances for Brazil.