Neymar is a major injury doubt for Paris Saint-Germain in their massive Champions League last 16 second-leg clash against Real Madrid next week.
The 26-year-old went down in a heap after twisting his ankle during PSG’s 3-0 win over Marseille Sunday, and was in tears as he was stretchered off the field.
PSG manager Unai Emery said he was “optimistic” the club talisman would be fit to return for the crucial second leg against Real, but in a statement Monday, the Ligue 1 giants revealed the forward has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle and fractured his fifth metatarsal.
“Complementary examinations performed this day (ultrasound and CT) confirmed antero external sprain of the right ankle but also the associated existence of a fissure of the fifth metatarsal,” the statement read.
This is a major setback to PSG as they have it all to do in the second leg having lost 3-1 at the Bernabeu two weeks ago.
Neymar has formed a lethal partnership with Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani since moving to Paris in the summer of 2017, and Emery has been left with a huge task replacing the skilful Brazilian.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane hasn’t received the news well, as he insists he wants the best players to be available for the clash.
“No, I don’t like it when players get injured,” Zidane said.
“I’m not happy if Neymar is injured. Hopefully he can play. I’m never going to want an opposing player to get injured.”