Brazilian football star Neymar has successfully undergone minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, his current club Santos confirmed in a Monday announcement. The 33-year-old forward elected for the minimally invasive procedure to address persistent joint issues that have limited his playing time throughout the current season.
Renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Rodrigo Lasmar, who also serves as team physician for Brazil’s national squad, performed the surgery. The procedure represents the latest chapter in Neymar’s extended recovery journey since suffering a devastating ACL tear during World Cup qualifying in October 2023.
Despite his physical challenges, Neymar remains publicly optimistic about his international future. During a recent musical event in São Paulo, the prolific scorer declared his ambition to not only compete in the upcoming World Cup but to net a goal in the championship match. He directly appealed to newly appointed Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, who assumed leadership in May but has yet to include Neymar in his selections.
‘We will do the impossible to bring this cup to Brazil,’ Neymar proclaimed to attendees. ‘In July, you can remind us of it. Hi, Ancelotti, helps us out!’
The surgery comes after Neymar’s emotional return to his formative club Santos in January. Despite his limited availability, appearing in just 19 of 38 Serie A matches since the season commenced in April, he managed eight crucial goals. His late-season contributions proved particularly valuable, helping Santos narrowly avoid relegation in the tournament’s final rounds.