Neymar is ruled OUT of Copa America 2024 with the star unable to recover in time

Neymar has been ruled out of the 2024 Copa America, as he is unable to recover in time from a torn ACL for the start of the tournament, which will be played in the US in June.

Rodrigo Lasmar, a doctor with the Brazilian national soccer team, told Radio 98 of the ex-PSG and Barcelona winger's bid to return to competition by the start of next summer: 'It's too early, there's no point skipping steps to recover.

'Our expectation is that [Neymar] will be prepared to return at the start of the 2024 European calendar, which is August.'

Neymar, 31, underwent successful surgery to repair ligaments and meniscus injuries in his left knee on November 2 in Brazil.

He got hurt in the Selecao's 2026 World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay in October.

Neymar, Brazil's all-time men's top scorer, joined Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal in the summer in a £77.2million ($98.3M) transfer from PSG.

He has previously suffered several right ankle and foot injuries, which forced him to miss six weeks of action in 2021 and Brazil's victorious Copa America campaign in 2019. Injuries have limited Neymar to only 17 appearances this year for both club and country. In February, while still at PSG, he injured his ankle and was subsequently out for five months.

''It's very important that he understands the serious injury he suffered,' Lasmar said roughly two months ago. 'He's had other injuries and situations before, this was his third surgery. I participated in the other two, they were shorter periods.

'This time it is the most serious injury, it takes more time, so we need him to be very focused and dedicated to recovery. He is following everything we propose.'

Brazil will play Mexico in a friendly in the U.S. in June as part of the preparations for next year's