Neymar receives touching message from Lionel Messi after horror ACL injury on Brazil duty
Neymar was injured as Brazil lost 2-0 to Uruguay on Wednesday night
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Lionel Messi has sent a touching message of support to Neymar after the Brazil international sustained a serious ACL injury on Wednesday night.
The Samba star was left in tears as he was stretchered from the field of play as his country lost 2-0 to Uruguay.
Al-Hilal, Neymar's club, have since confirmed the player has a ruputered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.
They revealed this on social media, saying: "The medical tests 'NEYMAR' underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later..
The medical tests “NEYMAR ” underwent, confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee, he will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later..
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) October 18, 2023
Return Stronger @neymarjr 💙#AlHilal pic.twitter.com/5I3u7F7wQm
"Return Stronger @neymarjr."
They are yet to say how long Neymar, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer, will be sidelined for.
Yet Messi has taken action on social media, too, and sent a two-word message to his friend.
He uploaded a picture of the pair during their time at Barcelona, accompanying it with the message: 'Mucha fuerza!"
That translates as 'great strength'.
Neymar was forced out of the game against Uruguay in the 44th minute after competing for the ball with Nicolas de la Cruz.
He immediately beckoned for the medical staff to come on.
And Neymar has admitted he's struggling after his injury, with the veteran admitting he needs his friends and family around him at such a tough time.
"It's a very sad moment, the worst," said the forward.
"I know I'm strong but this time I'm going to need my friends (family and friends) even more.
"It's not easy to go through injury and surgery, imagine going through it all again after 4 months of recovery.
"I have faith, too much… But I place the strength in God's hands so that he can renew mine.
"Thank you for the messages of support and affection."
Neymar cost Al-Hilal a fee of £78m back in the summer and left PSG after six years in France.
He established himself as one of the best players in the club's entire history while strutting his stuff at the Parc des Princes.
But Neymar failed to scale the heights many expected, with PSG unable to win the Champions League during his stint at the club.
The Brazil international had originally planned to stay at PSG following the appointment of Luis Enrique as manager.
However, after Enrique made it clear Neymar was surplus to requirements, the former Barcelona and PSG star opted to jump ship.
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Lionel Messi has sent Neymar a message of support after horror ACL injury
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Messi and Neymar first bonded while playing for Barcelona in Spain.
They were key for Enrique as the Catalan giants sensationally won the treble back in 2015.
Neymar left Barcelona in 2017, though, after growing tired of playing in Messi's shadow.
The duo were then reunited at PSG in 2021 when Messi was forced to leave the Nou Camp behind.
However, despite their strong relationship, they were unable to propel PSG to the Champions League title they crave.