XtraTime Web Desk: Brazil’s chances of making the forthcoming FIFA World Cup of their own gets a stumble as their biggest superstar Neymar Jr has to undergo a surgery ahead of the biggest footballing competition.
Neymar will have surgery in Brazil on his fractured foot, ruling him out of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match next week against Real Madrid.
A day after P.S.G. Coach Unai Emery denied reports that Neymar, a star for the Brazilian national team, would have an operation, the club walked back that statement on Wednesday and announced that he would have surgery.
“After an initial treatment period of three days in line with a strict medical protocol, a joint decision has been taken between the medical staffs of both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team,” P.S.G. said in a statement.
P.S.G. broke transfer record last year by paying Barcelona 222 million euros ($260 million) to buy Neymar, in part with the hope that he would lead the club to the Champions League title. But those hopes took a massive blow when he was injured on Sunday during P.S.G.’s 3-0 win over Marseille. Tests later revealed he had a cracked fifth metatarsal in his right foot along with an ankle injury.
Neymar’s father Neymar Santos, had cast a doubt on whether his son would participate in the match, saying he believed Neymar would need surgery. There were concerns that Neymar could aggravate the injury and potentially threaten his chances of playing in the World Cup this summer if he continued playing for P.S.G. instead of having surgery. Though it’s still in doubts if he could get fully fit ahead of the World Cup.