Brazil's National Team Doctor: Injured Neymar Will Miss Copa America

Rodrigo Lasmar, the doctor of the Brazilian national football team, stated that striker Neymar will not recover from knee surgery in time to participate in next year's Copa America. The Brazil top scorer underwent surgery last month after suffering a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during international duty in October. Lasmar, who performed the surgery on Neymar, said that the 31-year-old player is not expected to be fit until August. He added that the Brazilian team does not intend to shorten the recovery program to enable Neymar to play in the tournament, which is set to take place between June 20 and July 14 in the United States. Lasmar told the Brazilian radio station 98 FM, "He will not recover in time. The tournament will be too early for him and there is no need to shorten the recovery program and take unnecessary risks." He continued, "We expect him to be ready to return at the beginning of the 2024 season in Europe, which will be in August. We need to be patient. Talking about a return nine months early is premature." Neymar joined Saudi club Al Hilal last August, but the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain striker has only played five matches due to muscle injuries. Brazil has been drawn into Group D for the Copa America with Colombia, Paraguay, and a qualifier from the CONCACAF region.