Neymar ruled out for the season; Messi offers hope of PSG extension amid Inter Miami links
Neymar will undergo ankle surgery and will miss the rest of the season as a result, French champions Paris Saint-Germain revealed on Monday.
The 31-year-old Brazil forward suffered the injury playing against Lille last month.
A statement from the Ligue 1 club read: “Neymar Jr has had several episodes of right ankle instability in recent years.
“Following his last sprain contracted on February 20, the medical staff of Paris St Germain recommended a ligament repair operation, in order to avoid a major risk of recurrence.
“All of the experts consulted confirmed this need. This surgery will be performed in the coming days at ASPETAR Hospital in Doha.
“A delay of three to four months is expected before his return to collective training.”
PSG face Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first game.
Neymar has scored 18 and assisted 17 in 29 matches across all competitions this season.
Meanwhile, Neymar’s club teammate Lionel Messi has offered hope that he will remain in the French capital beyond 2022-23.
Messi joined the Parisiens in the summer of 2021 after a glorious 21-year Barcelona career.
He had a decent debut season with PSG but his performances were a far cry from his usual flawless standards.
However, the Argentina captain has really stepped up this term and guided his country to World Cup glory in December.
With his contract set to expire this summer, Messi’s future is up in the air. He has been linked with MLS side Inter Miami – who are owned by David Beckham and managed by Phil Neville.
Speaking to PSG’s YouTube channel, Messi admitted that he is now settled in Paris, giving hope to the club’s fans that he will sign a new deal.
“The truth is I feel great,” Messi said. “The first year I had a hard time adapting to Paris for different reasons.
“This season I started differently, with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of desire. [I’m] more comfortable with the club, the city & everything that Paris means.”
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