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Newcastle United do not sign superstars, they make them.

Indeed, Newcastle’s success in the PIF era has not been based off signing the big and fading names they were initially linked with upon the takeover back in October 2021.

Instead, the owners have brought in younger players to develop under Eddie Howe, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes now ranked as one of the best players in the world.

Still, that rarely stops the reports touting huge names as potential targets.

Neymar was even mooted for a move to St James’ Park this summer before he ultimately left Paris Saint-Germain for another PIF-owned club in Al Hilal for a reported £86m.

Now, the Brazil legend has suffered a huge blow.

Neymar injury news: Brazil star responds after big injury

The 31-year-old suffered a serious injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier loss to Uruguay, a game in which Guimaraes seemingly flattered to deceive.

It has since been confirmed (via BBC Sport) the forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee, requiring surgery.

Responding on Instagram, Neymar wrote: “t’s a very sad moment, the worst.

“I know I’m strong but this time I’ll need my (family and friends) even more. It’s not easy going through injury and surgery, imagine going through all that again after 4 months of recovery. I have faith, even too much…

“But the strength I put in the hands of God so that he can renew mine. Thanks for the messages of support and love.”

Opinion: Newcastle dodged a bullet

Though never nice to see such a great player suffering a serious injury at this stage of his career, Newcastle fans should breathe a sigh of relief.

The club are simply too ambitious and take their project too seriously to even entertain the idea of signing a big name probably past his best and now picking up injuries simply for the sake of it.

It’s sad for Neymar who, no matter what you think of him, has been of the game’s leading players for over a decade now.

But thanks to PIF’s decisions, it’s not Newcastle’s problem.