Paris Saint Germain (PSG) superstar Neymar is an early doubt for the World Cup 2022 qualifying games billed fornext month and the start of February after he picked up an injury while playing for his French club in the league. Neymar is doubtful for the Brazilian national team due to the injury picked up during the French Ligue 1 clash at Saint Etienne last month.
Neymar suffered an injury to his left ankle following the tackle from Saint Etienne player Yvann Macon seven minutes from time and he had to be stretchered off after receiving treatment on the pitch. Macon was given his marching orders for the tackle on Neymar. The former Santos and Barcelona attacker was later seen leaving the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium on crutches. The Stade Geoffrey-Guichard Stadium is the official match venue for Saint Etienne. The ankle injury sustained by Neymar penultimate Sunday somewhat overshadowed the 3-1 win recorded by French Ligue 1 leaders PSG at the expense of Saint Etienne.
Since sustaining the injury, Neymar has missed the last three games in all competitions.
An update on the injury from PSG via a statement revealed that the Brazilian won’t play again this year. It was stated that he will miss around six to eight weeks of football action after he suffered ankle ligaments damage.
Brazil have already qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar, but they still have five qualifiers to navigate between now and the end oftheir qualifying campaign. The five-time world champions have two of those qualifiers in January and February 2022. Brazil take on hosts Ecuador on January 27, 2022 before taking on Paraguay at home on February 1, 2022.
After booking their place in Qatar, the next target for the Brazilians, the next target is to finish ahead of arch rivals Argentina at the top of the South American standings.