Brazilian forward Neymar will undergo surgery on his injured ankle at the end of the week, Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed.
It was also gathered that the 26-year-old will be out for at least six to eight weeks and will miss Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Real Madrid.
The world’s most expensive footballer suffered the injury during Sunday’s 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Paris Saint Germain’s arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille at Parc de Princes.
The Brazilian was taken off the field on a stretcher and was in tears following a poor tackle from Bouna Sarr.
Neymar’s father said on Tuesday that his son would be sidelined for ‘at least six weeks’ and PSG have confirmed he will return to Brazil for surgery.
“PSG know that they won’t have Neymar in the next few games and that they won’t have Neymar for the next six weeks at least,” he told ESPN Brasil.
“Because this treatment is going to take six to eight weeks, we know that, whether it is surgery or conventional, it will be six or eight weeks.”
The club also issued a statement as regards his surgery.
“After an initial treatment period of three days in line with a strict medical protocol, a joint decision has been taken between the medical staffs of both Paris Saint-Germain and the Brazil national team,” a statement from the club said.
“In accordance with the player, it has been decided that Neymar will undergo surgery in Brazil at the end of this week.
“He will be operated on by Dr Rodrigo Lasmar, accompanied by Professor Saillant, representing PSG.”
While Neymar has scored 28 goals and provided 16 assists for PSG this season, PSG trail Real 3-1 ahead of the last 16 second-leg game in Paris on March 6.