Brazilian forward Neymar will be absent for an extended period after sustaining an injury while on international duty.
The 31-year-old was stretchered off during his nation's 2-0 defeat to Uruguay after an awkward landing during the first half in Montevideo. And it has now been revealed that Brazil's all-time leading male goalscorer has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.
While a firm timescale for his return is yet to be revealed, the standard recovery time for an ACL injury is between eight and 10 months. Posting on Instagram, Neymar said: "It's a very sad time, the worst.
"I know I'm strong, but this time I'm going to need my family and friends even more."
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In a statement, Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues added: "Brazilian and world football need Neymar healthy and recovered, because football is happier when he's on the pitch."
The injury comes just three months after Neymar moved to the Saudi Pro League, becoming the latest high-profile addition to the league after completing a switch from PSG to Al-Hilal.
Premier League duo Chelsea and Manchester United had been linked with a summer move for the forward before that move, while a return to Barcelona was also mooted.
That interest came after an injury-plagued season for Neymar, whose final season in PSG was curtailed by an injury in February. It was the latest in a string of ankle injuries for the Brazilian who has missed significant chunks of the last two seasons in Ligue 1.
