Neymar suffered his latest of a catalogue of injury woes as his highly-anticipated first start back in Brazil’s top-flight ended with an early withdrawal. The winger, sporting a special number 100 jersey to honour his 100th appearance at Santos’s home Vila Belmiro, was forced off inside just 34 minutes due to an injury in his left thigh during the match against Atletico Mineiro. This is a recurring issue for Neymar, 33, who sustained an injury in the same area during a Campeonato Paulista fixture that left him sidelined for six weeks.
Having only returned to action on Sunday, April 13, as a substitute against Fluminense, this latest setback represents a major blow to the former Barcelona and PSG superstar, who has been plagued by fitness woes for the last few years. This was no more evident than during his disastrous stint in Saudi Arabia, where an ACL tear early into his £77.6 million move to Al-Hilal limited the Brazilian legend to just 428 minutes of action across 18 months.
Neymar was visibly distraught as he signalled to the bench shortly after Santos extended their lead with a second goal, gesturing towards the bench and reluctantly requesting to be substituted. He was carted off the pitch while being consoled by both his teammates and opposition players, including former Brazil teammate Hulk.
"It's still too early to give any definitive answer, we don't have a diagnosis yet," Santos coach Cesar Sampaio said post-match. "It's a major loss in a match where everything we had planned was unfolding as expected. And that’s it, now we really have to pray that it’s not something that will keep him out for a long time."
Neymar rejoined Santos after nearly 12 years away back in January, drawing an end to his ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia following the mutual decision to terminate his contract. Since his return, he has made eight appearances for Santos and scored three goals, indicating a promising start before this injury setback.
Despite his struggles, Neymar remains Brazil's record scorer and has not featured for the national side since October 2023 when he suffered an ACL injury while on international duty. He was named in Brazil's squad for the March international break but was forced to withdraw due to the initial problem in his left thigh.
His return to Santos has been met with excitement from fans, and this match was particularly significant as it marked his 100th appearance at Vila Belmiro. The emotional atmosphere was palpable, with supporters rallying behind him as he took to the field wearing the special jersey. However, the joy quickly turned to concern as he was forced to leave the game early, leaving fans and teammates anxious about the severity of his injury.
In the match against Atletico Mineiro, Santos was leading 2-0 at the time of Neymar's exit, thanks to goals from Alvaro Barreal and another player. The team managed to hold on to this lead, securing a 2-0 victory, but the focus quickly shifted to Neymar's condition. His absence from the pitch was felt not only in terms of his skill and experience but also in the emotional support he provides to his teammates.
As the team prepares for their next match against Sao Paulo, the uncertainty surrounding Neymar's fitness looms large. Coach Sampaio will have to strategize without one of his star players, which could significantly impact the team's performance in the upcoming fixtures.
Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how this injury will affect Neymar's future, especially with the World Cup qualifiers approaching. His ability to recover quickly and return to form will be crucial for both his club and the national team.
In summary, Neymar's latest injury adds to a long list of fitness challenges that have marred his career in recent years. As he continues to battle through these setbacks, the football world watches closely, hoping for his swift return to the pitch.
