Neymar injured, may not recover until 2017

FC Barcelona star, Neymar missed training with an adductor muscle strain on Monday, raising concerns that he may not play again before the end of this year.

Neymar had an ice pack strapped to the top of his leg at the end of the Clasico draw with Real Madrid.

Barcelona confirmed he was suffering from a muscle problem but ruled out a tear and said he would spend the week doing recovery work with physiotherapists.

A club statement said: “The FC Barcelona medical services conducted tests on striker Neymar Jr this morning.

“We are able to confirm that the trouble he is feeling is due to muscle fatigue in the groin area. They also determined that there is no sign of any injury. His return to normal training will depend on how matters progress.”

Yellow cards picked up against Madrid and in the win at Celtic in the Champions League mean Neymar is suspended for tonight’s games against Borussia Monchengladbach and Osasuna.

“Neymar has a knock from the Clasico, nothing serious,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told his prematch news conference shortly after the news was announced. “That he’s banned just means we can control his minutes a little more.”

The club’s next fixture after those is a friendly in Qatar against Al-Ahli, where Neymar is unlikely to feature if there is any risk of worsening his injury.

While Barcelona have not said how long the Brazil international will be out, Diario Sport reported that he was a doubt for the game against Espanyol on December 18.

Barcelona end the year with the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Hercules, although Luis Enrique is expected to field a weakened team in that game despite drawing the first leg.

Gerard Pique was also unable to train on Monday, instead doing specific exercises apart from the main group.

He will not feature in the Champions League game against Gladbach tonight but should be fit for the match at Osasuna.