Spanish giants Barcelona have been dealt a big blow as star forward Neymar has been ruled out for a fortnight with parotitis.
The club's medical team announced on Sunday that the Brazilian had been diagnosed with the disease commonly known at the mumps despite the fact he had been previously vaccinated against the disease.
This means that the 23-year-old will miss both the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday in Tbilisi, Georgia against Sevilla, and the Spanish Super Cup when Luis Enrique’s side takes on Athletic Club over two legs on the 14th and 17th of August.
There is also the slight possibility that he could miss the opening match of the La Liga season against the same side on August 23rd.
Neymar was on superb form last season
Neymar was influential in a deadly forward three with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez last year in Barcelona’s journey to another treble, managing to bag an impressive 39 goals in all competitions.
However a positive is that the Brazilian should be completely fine in time for the UEFA Champions League group stages and the first El Clasico of the new season.
He made only one pre-season appearance this summer after being allowed time off after playing for Brazil at this summer’s Copa America tournament. He reported back to training last weekend along with Messi, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves following their escapades in Chile.
Selection headaches for Enrique
Neymar’s absence has left Enrique’s squad relatively thin for the first few matches of the season, Alex Vidal and Arda Turan were both brought in to the Nou Camp this summer but the club's continued transfer embargo means that they can't make their debut until January.
Pedro is still available to Enrique but with the likeliness that the Spaniard will complete his big money move to Premier League side Manchester United in the next few days, it is likely that he will sit out.
Barcelona will play Sevilla at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, Georgia on Tuesday August 11.