SAO PAULO: Brazilian football legend Neymar suffered a scary knee injury in the World Cup qualifiers and it has put the football icon's awaited Indian trip into uncertainty. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced that Neymar will have to undergo immediate surgery.

The decision was made after medical tests were conducted in Sao Paulo. Neymar injured the ligament in his left leg during the Brazil-Uruguay World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday. The surgery date has not yet been decided. Neymar suffered the injury at the fag-end of the first half after the Brazilian superstar collided with Uruguay midfielder Diego Nicolás de la Cruz Arcosa.

The response was instant and Neymar nearly rolled in pain and limped throughout. He couldn’t even put his foot down on the turf again. He was later escorted to the back tunnel by health officials within the Brazilian team. Even captain Casemiro turned anxious as he said “ For Neymar to leave the pitch like that, it is unusual and it may be serious”.

Neymar will be sidelined for at least eight months if he undergoes surgery. The CBF also said that the player can return to the ground only before next year's Copa America. There was massive exhilaration among Indian fans earlier for the Mumbai City FC-Al Hilal Asian Champions League Group C match supposed to take place at the Navi Mumbai D Y Patil Stadium on November 6th.

With the CBF confirmation, Neymar coming to India is almost a ruled-out case. This injury will give more bruises to Saudi’s Al-Hilal team. Neymar initially denied response to reporters, but posted a video on Instagram giving a caption, “God knows all things”.