Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar will miss the 2019 Copa America with an ankle ligament injury.
The 27-year-old injured his ankle in a 2-0 win against Qatar in a friendly and limped off in the 22nd minute. Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus scored for the five times world champions against the 2022 tournament hosts.
It has been a frustrating time for Neymar who has suffered injuries galore since moving to PSG from Barcelona in 2017. Last year he nearly didn’t make the World Cup after suffering a fracture in his right foot in a game against Marseille.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, Brazil's football governing body said that Neymar had ruptured a ligament in his ankle and would not recover in time to play in the Copa America.
The 2019 Copa America will be held in Brazil from June 14 to July 7. The host nation have been drawn in Group A alongside Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela. Brazil open their campaign against Bolivia in Sao Paulo in the opening game of the tournament.
(With Inputs from IANS)
