Report: Neymar ruled out for both legs vs. Manchester United, likely needs surgery
Neymar will miss both legs of Paris Saint-Germain’s Round of 16 Champions League matches against Manchester United and most likely requires surgery on his foot, according to reports from French publication L’Equipe. SI.com relayed the news Monday morning.
Neymar, 26, left a Round of 32 match last week when he re-injured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, the same injury that kept him sidelined for three months last spring. Initially the club believed its superstar would not need surgery, since the screw was not impacted, and might be available for the first leg Feb. 12 against Manchester United. At worst he’d return for the second leg.
L’Equipe reported Monday that Neymar will be out until at least the end of March, missing both matches, and possibly the rest of the season. Per the report, MRI scans show a fracture in the foot and there’s a “90 percent chance” the Brazilian will require surgery.
PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel told Sky Sports News that the team does not know the full extent of the injury nor a return date.
“We have to wait for the first week, which is very important, and its reaction to treatment,” Tuchel told SkySports, as cited by SI. “Only after that can we be more precise, but it’s going to be very difficult [ to return for the United match].”
Neymar missed 15 games over 11 weeks when first injuring his foot last season and he battled a groin injury at the close of 2018 that kept him out of the lineup. Across all competitions this season he has 20 goals and nine assists.
PSG and Man United will face off at Old Trafford in the first leg of the knockout round Feb. 12. The second leg will take place March 6 at the Parc des Princes.
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