PSG: Neymar will treat broken foot in Brazil
The crew weigh up Neymar’s level after he fell outside the top 10 in ESPN Brazil’s poll of greatest post-Pele players for the Selecao. (1:31)
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar will head to Brazil to continue treatment on his broken foot, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
Last week, Neymar said he was hopeful of recovering in time to play in the Champions League quarterfinals should the French champions progress beyond Manchester United. The club will supervise his medical treatment while he is home in Brazil.
“As part of the treatment of the injury of his fifth right metatarsal, Paris Saint-Germain has decided to send Neymar Jr. to Brazil for ten days,” PSG said in a news release. “The Brazil international striker will leave this Thursday, accompanied by a medical team from the club, to continue specific treatment, scheduled after the medical care he has already received in Paris, as well as in Barcelona, since the end of January. Paris Saint-Germain again shows its full support for Neymar Jr. and the determination he has shown since the beginning of his recovery.”
Neymar was ruled out for 10 weeks after suffering a metatarsal fracture of his right foot in the 2-0 French Cup win over Strasbourg on Jan. 23.
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The Brazil international, having missed Tuesday’s first leg in the round of 16 clash at United, which his team won 2-0, will also sit out the return on March 6.
The 27-year-old is aiming to be back for a prospective Champions League quarterfinal first leg on April 9-10.
Speaking to Brazilian YouTube show “Fui Clear” at the weekend while undergoing treatment with his personal physiotherapist Rafael Martini in his living room, Neymar said: “It’s getting better.
“We have already done several treatments, some procedures in order to improve it as quickly as possible and we are happy with the progress and with how things are going.
“I can’t wait to do what I love to do the most in my life which is to play football. It’s eight to 10 weeks [recovery period] — that’s what we imagine, so I think 10 weeks at most. We have worked to accelerate the process.”
It is the second injury in as many years to Neymar’s fifth metatarsal in his right foot, and it has occurred at almost exactly the same point in consecutive seasons.
The former Barcelona forward said the injury could not have come at a worse time.
“I was doing very well,” he said. “Doing very well on the pitch and unfortunately this injury happened again but now it is time to be cool, be wise which is the most important thing to help me recover as quickly as possible.”
Neymar will be in Brazil during the celebration of Carnival from March 1-9.