Neymar responding well to treatment- Brazil's team doctor

Brazilian forward Neymar, aged 31, is making significant progress in his recovery from knee surgery, a procedure necessitated by an injury he sustained last month while on international duty, according to the national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar. However, despite positive signs, there remains uncertainty regarding the exact timeline for his return to action.

Neymar's injury involved the rupture of both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the meniscus in his left knee, leading to surgery at a Belo Horizonte hospital earlier this month. The recovery process, while showing promising results, is anticipated to be lengthy, and Lasmar emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach involving physiotherapists and fitness trainers to expedite Neymar's return.

"He's shown, from the first moment, that he's following what we're proposing. He knows that it's a process that he's going to need all of us, physiotherapists, fitness trainers, so that we can have Neymar back as soon as possible," stated Lasmar during a press conference at Brazil's training center in Teresopolis.

Lasmar, who performed the surgery, highlighted the complexity of the recovery due to individual differences in injuries and the potential impact of associated factors, such as a meniscus injury. Consequently, setting a specific return date for the Al Hilal player remains challenging.

"Injuries are individual. In general, there are associated injuries that can be just as important, such as a meniscus injury. All this makes the procedure more complex, with a slower recovery period. That's why we don't talk about a timescale," explained the doctor.

Neymar, who joined the Saudi Pro League in August for a reported 90 million euros, encountered a disrupted start to his season, playing only five games for Al Hilal due to struggles with muscle injuries.

In other squad news, Brazil's goalkeeper Ederson has withdrawn from the national team due to an injury sustained while playing for Manchester City in their 4-4 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. Lasmar revealed that Ederson suffered trauma to his foot in the final minutes of the match, leading to intense pain and swelling, making walking difficult. Athletico Paranaense keeper Bento has been called up as a replacement in the Brazil squad.

Brazil, currently sitting third in the South American World Cup qualifying standings with seven points, is set to face fifth-placed Colombia (with six points) on Thursday, followed by a match against leaders Argentina (with 12 points) the following Tuesday. The absence of key players like Neymar and Ederson poses challenges for the team in these crucial fixtures.