Neymar will miss Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie with FC Barcelona after being ruled out for four weeks with a hip injury.
The Brazilian, who missed several weeks earlier this season due to an adductor injury, came off injured during PSG's 1-0 victory over Caen on Wednesday, and test results on the following day revealed the extent of the damage.
"Neymar suffered an injury to the left abductor on Wednesday evening," a PSG statement read. "On analysis of the clinical examination and imaging examinations, he will be unavailable for approximately four weeks depending on the course."
Medical update concerning @neymarjr https://t.co/P7aL1lSJSa
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 11, 2021
When asked about Neymar's injury after the fixture, PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino said: “I don’t want to take it out on the way the opponent played and the way Neymar played his game. But I just have the feeling that sometimes there is a lack of protection during matches from refereeing. But it’s just a feeling.”
French outlet L’Equipe had initially announced that Neymar was sure to miss the Tuesday game against Barcelona. With an official confirmation from the French champions, it remains to be seen if the mercurial forward will return in time for the return leg at the Parc des Princes.
If he doesn’t return by March 10, Neymar could also miss the Ligue 1 games against OGC Nice, AS Monaco, Dijon FCO, and Bordeaux.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / SAMEER AL-DOUMY
