The Brazilian Football Federation have confirmed Neymar has been ruled out of this summer’s Copa America with an ankle injury.
Neymar was left in tears after limping off 17 minutes into Brazil’s friendly win over Qatar on Wednesday night before going to hospital for tests.
It has now been confirmed that Neymar ruptured a ligament in his ankle and will miss the the tournament, which starts on June 14.
“After suffering a sprain in his right ankle during last Wednesday’s game against Qatar, Neymar was evaluated and subjected to tests that confirmed ligament rupture in the ankle,” a statement read on the Brazilian federation’s website.
“Due to the seriousness of the injury, Neymar will not have the physical conditions and sufficient recovery time to participate in the Copa America Brasil 2019.”
Neymar almost missed the 2018 World Cup due to a serious ankle injury suffered during his first season at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian superstar has only just recovered from a second ankle problem and has now succumbed to his third serious injury in two years.
Neymar’s absence is a huge blow for Brazil’s hopes of winning the Copa America, which they are hosting.
Despite a disruptive season because of injury, Neymar played a direct hand in 22 goals in 17 league games for PSG this season (15 goals, seven assists) and won the WhoScored Man of the Match award seven times.
