Neymar’s long-running battle with injuries took another heartbreaking turn on Wednesday, as the Santos star was forced off the pitch in tears during the first half of their 2-0 win over Atletico Mineiro in Brazil’s Serie A.
The 33-year-old forward clutched his left thigh in visible pain before limping off in the 34th minute, casting fresh doubt over his fitness. The injury setback comes just months after Neymar sustained a serious knee injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023, a blow that sidelined him for an extended period.
After a promising return to club form earned him a national team call-up in March, Neymar had to withdraw due to a muscle problem — and Wednesday’s incident appears to be another frustrating twist in his efforts to return to peak condition.
“It’s still too early to give any definitive answer, we don’t have a diagnosis yet,” Santos coach Cesar Sampaio said in a post-match press conference. “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.”
Santos went on to secure a comfortable 2-0 win, but the joy was overshadowed by growing concern over the health of their marquee player. With Neymar’s future again uncertain, Brazil fans will be hoping for better news as medical assessments begin.
