Neymar will miss at least 6 weeks, says father

Neymar’s father said it is illogical to think his son will play against Real Madrid next week, telling ESPN the injured 26-year-old won’t be available until April at the earliest.

“PSG know that they can’t have Neymar for six weeks at least,” Neymar Sr. said. “Because treatment requires six to eight weeks.”

Asked whether his son would miss next Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash, Neymar Sr. added: “Yes, of course he is out against Real Madrid. It is absurd if anybody thinks otherwise.”

Neymar was diagnosed with a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal after being stretchered off the pitch toward the end of Sunday’s 3-0 win over Marseille. Manager Unai Emery called for calm while emphasising that the capital club had yet to decide whether to proceed with surgery.

A doctor from the Brazilian national team is already en route to Paris to assess the injury, according to Neymar Sr. With the World Cup a little more than three months away, Brazil has an obvious interest in the player’s well-being.

Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte reported earlier in the day that Neymar had opted to go under the knife, but Neymar Sr. neither confirmed nor denied that.

Sources also told ESPN FC correspondent Jonathan Johnson that Neymar would rather not play through the pain so close to the World Cup. Those close to the player would instead prefer surgery to ensure a full and quick recovery, Johnson added.

The injuries come at a delicate point in PSG’s season, with the Qatari-backed outfit down 3-1 on aggregate to Los Blancos. The club has yet to make it past the Champions League quarter-finals since Qatar Sports Investments took control in 2011.