Neymar will miss the 2024 Copa America due to his inability to recover from a torn ACL in time for the tournament’s commencement in the US in June.
Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, a member of the Brazilian national soccer team’s medical staff, emphasized that rushing Neymar’s return would be counterproductive. Lasmar stated, “It’s too early; there’s no point skipping steps to recover. Our expectation is that Neymar will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 European calendar, which is August.”
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The 31-year-old underwent successful surgery on November 2 in Brazil to address ligament and meniscus injuries sustained during Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay in October.
As Brazil’s all-time leading men’s scorer, Neymar, who recently transferred to Al Hilal from PSG, has battled various injuries, including right ankle and foot issues. These setbacks have limited him to just 17 appearances in the current year for both club and country. In February, while with PSG, he suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of action for five months.
Lasmar emphasized the severity of Neymar’s latest injury, stating, “It’s very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered. This time it is the most serious injury, it takes more time, so we need him to be very focused and dedicated to recovery. He is following everything we propose.”
In preparation for the Copa America, Brazil will play a friendly against Mexico in the US on June 8. The tournament’s Group D matches will begin on June 24 in Inglewood, California, with Brazil facing either Honduras or Costa Rica. Subsequently, Brazil will compete against Paraguay and Colombia in the group stage.
The defending champion, Argentina, is in Group B with Ecuador, Venezuela, and Jamaica. The last encounter between Brazil and Mexico occurred in the 2018 World Cup round of sixteen, with Brazil securing a 2-0 victory through goals by Neymar and Roberto Firmino.
