Neymar will miss both legs of Paris St Germain’s Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United after being ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a foot injury.
The 26-year-old Brazil forward, the world’s most expensive player, suffered the injury against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France last week.
PSG travel to Old Trafford on February 12, with the return leg in France on March 6.
A statement on the PSG website said: “On Tuesday evening Paris St Germain gathered together a group of world-renowned medical experts at the Ooredoo Training Centre to carry out a thorough review of the injury to Neymar Jr’s right foot, sustained against Strasbourg in the Coupe de France round-of-16 match on January 23.
“After detailed analysis by the specialists, a consensus was reached of a conservative treatment of Neymar Jr’s injury to the fifth right metatarsal.
“Informed of this recommendation, Paris St Germain’s Brazilian international striker agreed with this protocol. As a result Neymar Jr is expected to return to the field within 10 weeks.
“Paris St Germain sends its strongest support and encouragement to Neymar Jr to overcome this injury, with the courage and determination that the player has always shown.”
Neymar damaged the same foot towards the end of last season and battled to be fit for Brazil’s World Cup campaign in Russia, where he looked short of fitness during the group stages.