Neymar confirms knee surgery

Carlo Ancelotti is willing to take Neymar to the World Cup, under one condition: that the former golden boy of world football be healthy and fit. However, at the moment, Neymar is anything but healthy. And in a few days, as he himself has admitted, he will begin a race against time to resolve the problems he has, just so he can play at next summer’s World Cup.

Neymar helped Santos beat Cruzeiro on Sunday (3–0) and secure their survival in the league, and then revealed that he will nevertheless have to undergo knee surgery in a few days.

“That’s why I came here — to help as much as I can. These have been difficult weeks for me. I want to thank everyone who helped me. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to play all these matches because of the injuries. Now I’ll rest a little, and then I’ll have to undergo knee surgery,” said Neymar.

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The great Brazilian star felt relieved that Santos stayed in the league, and he opened up to journalists.

“After the match against Flamengo, I was criticized excessively. When it comes to me, people always cross the line. That was the first time I sought help from a psychologist, because I was completely emotionally drained. I no longer had the strength to deal with it on my own. My coach, my teammates, my family — they were extremely important to me at that moment, they helped me get back on my feet. If it hadn’t been for them, I don’t believe I would have made it.”

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Neymar added that it was the lowest point of his career.

“I had gone to a psychologist for therapy before as well, but not because I was in a bad state — rather because I wanted to improve myself, to be even better. But now, for the first time, I truly hit rock bottom. I think I am mentally strong, that I can endure a lot, but this time I couldn’t,” Neymar said.