Messi ‘out for the season’ sends Neymar a message of support

Lionel Messi has sent his support to Neymar following his serious injury.

“You have a lot of strength,” Messi wrote on Instagram on Monday (Aug. 19), after the news broke of Neymar’s injury, alongside a photo of him with FC Barcelona in Spain. Messi and Neymar played together at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in France.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on its official social media account that “Neymar underwent tests that confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee,” adding that “Neymar is scheduled for surgery, the date of which has not been set.” Neymar’s club, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, confirmed the news.

Neymar fell while contesting a ball in first-half stoppage time against Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, in the fourth South American Zone qualifier for the FIFA Confederations Cup North and Central America 2026 on June 18, grabbing his left knee and complaining of great pain. He was stretchered off the field.

Neymar has been plagued by frequent injuries throughout his career. According to Transfermarkt, he has been sidelined for more than 20 days on 16 occasions. In March, while at Paris Saint-Germain, he was sidelined for 130 days due to ankle surgery.

Neymar left Paris Saint-Germain in August to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. He reportedly signed a two-year contract with the club for a transfer fee of €90 million (approx. KRW128 billion) and an annual salary of €150 million (approx. KRW213 billion).

However, the cruciate ligament injury wiped out one of the two years of his contract. Neymar’s record this season is one goal in five official competitions, including three league games. Al-Hilal paid €150 million for five games. 메이저놀이터

“Son, another test is ahead of us,” Neymar’s father wrote on Instagram, adding, “We will be cheering for your full recovery with family, friends and fans around the world. We love you,” he wrote.

“The date of the surgery will be decided at a later date,” Al-Hilal said, adding, “We wish him a full recovery.”