10/12/2025 10:21
Neymar's confirmation that he will undergo knee surgery after the end of the 2025 Brazilian Championship reignites doubts about his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Is there a chance Neymar will miss the World Cup because of the knee surgery?
The issue gained traction after the final stretch of the championship, when the Santos FC striker played despite an injury; now, it remains to be seen if the injury will be adequately treated in time for the World Cup.
First, Neymar suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee. Even so, he played in the final rounds of the Brazilian Championship.
After the 3-0 victory over Cruzeiro EC, which secured Santos' escape from the relegation zone, the player announced that he will undergo knee surgery during his vacation.
He highlighted physical and mental exhaustion. He said the last few weeks had been difficult, and that the decision to proceed with the surgery was unavoidable.
The problem: so far, no details have been released about the exact type of surgery or recovery timeline.
Initially, the 2026 World Cup begins in June, just a few months between the surgery and that date. Without a public schedule and without certainty about the complexity of the procedure, there is no guarantee of sufficient time for recovery.
Therefore, Neymar has been suffering from physical problems in recent years. Playing in a worn-out state until the end of the Brazilian Championship, with a meniscus injury, raises a red flag.
Players who have undergone knee surgery often require rigorous rehabilitation before returning to a high level of competition.
The Brazilian national team coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has already stated that he will only call up players who are in peak physical condition. Prioritizing fitness means that a premature return for Neymar could jeopardize his chances of being selected.
Neymar has expressed his commitment to undergoing surgery and recovering at "maximum strength" for the next season. This indicates that he intends to focus on rehabilitation, which is a positive sign.
Even with injuries, Neymar remains one of the most experienced and decisive players in Brazilian football. If he recovers well, he can return to his top level and offer a competitive advantage to the national team.
The big problem: There is no clarity regarding the type of surgery or the recovery time.. A meniscus injury can mean anything from a relatively simple procedure to something that requires months away from the pitch—which could make participation in the World Cup impossible.
Furthermore, even with a physical return, there is a risk that Neymar will take longer to regain his match fitness, confidence, and intensity. Knee injuries are delicate and historically tend to require caution.
Finally, the time between surgery and the World Cup is short. This limits the period for physical recovery, intense training, and readaptation to high-level football. Any unforeseen event could cost him his place in the squad.
Finally, with the current data, it is plausible to state that there is real risk It is expected that Neymar will miss the 2026 World Cup at least until there is confirmation of the type of surgery, the recovery time, and the player's physical response.
If all goes well, there's a chance of a return. But everything depends on factors beyond the player's control: rehabilitation, medical monitoring, and acceptance by the national team's coaching staff.
Until November 2025, everything indicates that caution is advised. But football has shown many times that history can have surprises in store.
More about Neymar's surgery and the 2026 World Cup.