Neymar Jr. is done for the 2022-23 season, as the 31-year-old will have a ligament repair operation on his right ankle after suffering the injury during the 4-3 victory over Lille OSC on Feb. 19.
The medical procedure will be done to avoid a significant recurrence risk and keep the veteran forward out for three to four months. As a result, there are questions about Neymar’s future with PSG.
CBS Sports reporter and PSG Talk columnist Jonathan Johnson discussed what the future holds for the Brazil international in his weekly column. Any supporters hoping the capital club moves on from Neymar might have to pump the brakes.
“It is no real secret that PSG would part ways with the fading Brazilian superstar if they could but the simple reality of the situation is that no club has been prepared to stump up the sort of money required to cover any sort of meaningful transfer and his wages,” Johnson wrote. “If there had been, the 31-year-old would already be long gone. Making matters more difficult is the breaking news that Neymar will miss the rest of the 2022-23 season to undergo ligament repair surgery to avoid major risk of recurrence.
“Neymar’s current term numbers are not bad with 18 goals and 13 assists but much of that came pre-FIFA 2022 World Cup and the South American’s struggles since tell their own story of his battles to remain fit and healthy both in a mental as well as physical sense. The chances are that PSG and the former Barcelona man are stuck together unless another club makes a surprising offer.”
Neymar’s current contract reportedly runs until 2027, so PSG will see the decline of the forward’s prime as he enters the twilight of his career. Additionally, on his current wages and injury history, it’s hard to envision another team taking on the Brazilian if he doesn’t take a massive wage cut.