BRASILIA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona's Brazilian forward, Neymar, will miss both Spanish Super Cups and potentially the first match of the season after coming down with mumps, announced sources within the Spanish club on Sunday.
The same sources reported that Neymar has already been vaccinated and returned from his holidays with strength.
However, due to the illness, the Brazilian will miss the UEFA Super Cup (August 11) and the Spanish one (August 14 and 17). It is also doubtful whether he will recover in time for the first match of La Liga on August 22 as he needs to rest for at least 15 days.
When Neymar signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2013, he arrived with anemia which he developed after an operation for tonsillitis. Last year, the Brazilian fractured his third vertebra during the World Cup in Brazil. This is the third time that Neymar's health has affected his pre-season preparation.
Rumour has it that Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique, will choose Pedro Rodriguez, who is awaiting a transfer to Manchester United, to replace Neymar in the upcoming matches.