NEYMAR’S latest injury agony could cost Fifa £6.5million.
Football chiefs face paying Al-Hilal huge compensation after the Saudi club’s new superstar was ruled out for the season.
Neymar was taken off in tears with a crocked ACL during Brazil’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat away to Uruguay on Tuesday.
The striker, 31, joined Al-Hilal from PSG in August on wages of around £2.5million a week.
Fifa have to fork out an injured player’s salary from 28 days to a year – up to a maximum of £6.5m.
Yet that sum is small fry compared to Neymar’s overall pay package for the Saudi Pro League leaders.
The Barcelona legend’s contract with Al-Hilal could earn him up to £314million over two years.
Neymar suffered his new injury when he tripped in a shock loss for Brazil.
And Al-Hilal have all but given up hope he could return this term.
The club said in a statement: “The medical tests Neymar underwent confirmed the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Meniscus tear injury in his knee.
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“He will be going through surgery and then a treatment program that will be determined later. Return stronger Neymar.”
But Al-Hilal baffled many fans by revealing the unfortunate news via a picture on social media of Neymar in distress.
One supporter responded: “Possibly the most unhinged graphic I’ve ever seen from a team account.”