On Monday night, the club confirmed the first diagnoses -- an ankle sprain and a hairline metatarsal fracture -- and they have led to several possible scenarios, ranging from the world's most expensive player being fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 second leg next Tuesday to the Brazilian international forward missing the World Cup.

Here's an attempt to make sense of what is a fluid situation.

Q: So who is saying what?

A: PSG confirmed the nature of Neymar's injuries and their manager Unai Emery said on Tuesday morning that there is a small chance he'll be ready for the Real Madrid game. The Brazilian football federation left the ball in PSG's court by saying "we always uphold the decisions made by the clubs," but media reports from the country suggested he'll need surgery and that could mean a couple of months out.

Then, on Tuesday night, Neymar's father, who also serves as his agent and manager, told ESPN that he expects his son to be out for "between six to eight weeks," adding: "Yes, of course he is is out against Real Madrid. It is absurd if anybody thinks otherwise."

Q: Have we heard from the man himself yet?

A: Not directly, though Neymar posted a photo of his injured leg on Instagram. Meanwhile, sources close to him and PSG told ESPN that he has rejected the idea of playing with the aid of painkillers, as the method increases the risk that the injury becomes more serious. Neymar wants to play against Real, if at all possible, but is not prepared to risk the rest of the season with PSG and the World Cup with Brazil. The source added that, if surgery is unavoidable, those closest to the 26-year-old are keen for him to get it as soon as possible, so his Russia 2018 chances are not jeopardised.

Q: It's obviously all about that metatarsal, isn't it?

A: Yeah, the ankle sprain will heal relatively quickly, but the damaged fifth metatarsal -- the long bone behind his little toe -- is the real concern. What we don't know -- because we haven't been told -- is the extent of that fracture or where that fracture is. In many cases, metatarsal fractures aren't treated with surgery; you just rest, wear a protective boot for six to eight weeks and allow it to heal naturally

Q: So why would Neymar go under the knife?

A: His feet aren't subject to the same stresses as a normal person. More importantly, surgery sets the bones in such a way that they are more likely to heal properly and reattach the way they should. So there's an argument to be made that, long term, he's better off going this route (again, depending on the nature of the fracture). But surgery means recovery time will be longer -- you'd be looking at anywhere from eight to 12 weeks, maybe longer -- and that's why PSG are taking their time.

Q: Because they don't want to lose Neymar for the rest of the season?

A: Exactly. Avoiding surgery might mean that he's back for the Champions League final on May 26, or possibly even the semifinal in late April and early May.