Neymar gets minor left knee surgery
SAO PAULO—Neymar underwent minor surgery on his left knee, his club Santos said on Monday.
The 33-year-old Neymar previously said he wanted to fix the pains that have sidelined him from several matches this year. The arthroscopy was performed by Rodrigo Lasmar, who also works with the Brazil squad. The procedure was minimally invasive and treated problems inside the joints.
Last weekend, the striker said during a music event in Sao Paulo, he still hoped to play in the World Cup and score in the final. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, appointed in May, has yet to pick Neymar.
“We will do the impossible to bring this Cup to Brazil,” Neymar said. “In July, you can remind us of it. Hi, Ancelotti, helps us out!”
Neymar has struggled to recover since he tore his ACL in October 2023 in World Cup qualifying. He returned to boyhood club Santos in January and played only 19 of the 38 rounds of Brazil’s Serie A, which started in April. He scored eight goals. His goals in the final rounds helped Santos avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, in London, a record-equaling first-half penalty from Raul Jimenez gave Fulham a 1-0 win over lowly Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The London side sought to avoid losing three consecutive home league games for only the second time since being promoted in 2022, and Jimenez’s precise strike from 12 meters ensured it avoided that fate in an uninspiring encounter.
An uneventful first half came to life seconds before halftime when Fulham was awarded a spot kick following a foul by Douglas Luiz on his fellow Brazilian, Kevin.
Mexican striker Jimenez scored for the 11th time in 11 attempts to preserve his 100 percent conversion record in the league. Only one other player, Yaya Toure, has scored 11-for-11 in penalties in the competition.
“I like to have the pressure of the penalties,” Jimenez said. “I have never missed. I am really happy about that and I want to continue like that. If there are more penalties to come, then I will be there.”
