On October 17, 2023, Uruguay’s players seriously injured Neymar during a World Cup qualifying match against Brazil. He tore his meniscus and ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee. After watching him exit the field in pain, everyone felt upset and empathized with him. Surgeons operated on him in November and successfully completed the procedure. Without Neymar, Brazil has struggled in World Cup qualifying, falling eight points behind Argentina and landing in fourth place. Real Madrid star Rodrygo believes Brazil would perform better if the 32-year-old were still playing. He worries about their chances of competing in the 2026 World Cup.
Doctors performed Neymar’s surgery for four hours and predicted a recovery period of six to twelve months. Since he was still recovering, he missed the 2024 Copa America, which took place in the U.S. in June.
Rodrygo told ESPN: “I have no words. Everyone can see it; it’s clear how much we miss him. He’s our star, our best player. To win a World Cup, everyone must be in top form to support him. If he fully recovers—which is what we’re hoping for—he’ll return soon. I keep exchanging messages with him, and he has started training with the group again. He’s a great teammate. I feel sad when people criticize him because I know the kind of person he is. He always checks on me, sends messages, and helps me. I love him. In addition to being my idol as a player, he has shown himself to be a fantastic person.”
When Brazil faces Paraguay in their next World Cup qualifier, Rodrygo and his teammates will work hard to close the gap with Argentina.
Without Neymar at Copa America 2024, Brazil has put in tremendous effort to find its rhythm. Star players like Vinicius Jr. and rising talent Endrick stepped up to fill Neymar’s absence. Endrick showed great potential and made key contributions, while Vinicius led Brazil’s attack with his creativity and speed.
Despite this being an opportunity for other players to prove themselves, Neymar’s absence significantly impacted Brazil’s performance. His playmaking skills and leadership qualities strengthen the squad. Although Brazil performed decently at Copa America 2024, they could have done much better with Neymar on the field. As the World Cup qualifiers continue, all eyes will be on these rising stars. However, Brazil’s supporters eagerly await Neymar’s return.
We wish Neymar a speedy recovery because his return would be incredible for Brazil and could guide them to World Cup glory.
