Neymar tore ACL in Brazil World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay, requires surgery, CBF and Al-Hilal confirm

Al-Hilal striker Neymar tore his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with Brazil, the CBF and his club has confirmed.

A tearful Neymar was stretchered off after injuring his left knee during Brazil’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay on Tuesday.

He suffered the injury after landing awkwardly in the 44th minute of the 2-0 loss.

"Striker Neymar Jr. of the Brazilian team and Al-Hilal, from Saudi Arabia, underwent clinical and imaging tests this Wednesday, which confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee," read a statement on the CBF website.

"On Tuesday night, Neymar suffered a knee sprain during the Brazilian team's game against Uruguay, in Montevideo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers."

"Brazilian and world football need Neymar healthy and recovered, because football is happier when he's on the pitch," Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues added.

A club statement from Al-Hilal said: “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. Return Stronger.”

In a post on his X account, Neymar wrote: "It's a very sad moment, the worst. I know I'm strong but this time I'm going to need my friends (family and friends) even more. It's not easy to go through injury and surgery, imagine going through it all again after four months of recovery.

"I have faith, too much. But I place the strength in God's hands so that he can renew mine.

"Thank you for the messages of support and affection."

Neymar joined Al-Hilal on a two-year deal worth around £77.6m plus add-ons in August, leaving Paris Saint-Germain after helping the club to five Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France trophies.

His time in Paris was disrupted by several ankle injuries and he returned to training in July after undergoing surgery in March.

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time men’s top scorer with 79 goals, surpassing Pele’s total.

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