Neymar on pace to start training at PSG by mid-July

Promising news about the return of Neymar to the training ground to resume football activities emerged on Tuesday from L'Equipe, with the leading French newspaper claiming that the PSG forward is targeting a return by mid-July.

Neymar underwent surgery on his right ankle a little over three months ago and he's still recovering as part of a long healing process that he's already gone through multiple times in the past because of sustaining similar injuries. This is nothing surprising, though, as PSG knew the recovery would rule Neymar out for the remainder of the season and into the summer.

According to L'Equipe, though, the Brazilian is making substantial progress and a speedy recovery might be on tap, with the superstar aiming at resuming football activities in full by the start of July if all goes according to plan.

Neymar first injured his ankle at the World Cup in Qatar last December. He would then re-injury the same joint in a PSG game against Lille last February, barely two months after Brazil crashed out of the WC.

The recommendation handed by the medical staff of PSG back then was for Neymar to skip the second part of the season while healing his ankle, which should also help the forward extend his career as he's still aiming at featuring for his nation in the 2026 World Cup.

At 31, Neymar "believes he still has several years at the highest level ahead of him", reports L'Equipe. PSG had planned for a four-month recovery process and everything points toward Neymar being on schedule. A return to training is still scheduled for mid-July for the 31-year-old striker, although his return to competition is still not clear.

Neymar is expected to play in one or more pre-season friendlies, though, gearing up for competitive football starting in late August. Or perhaps he has to adapt to the schedule of some English Premier League club.