Neymar’s return to the pitch was marred by a heartbreaking injury as the 33-year-old forward was forced to leave the field in tears during Santos’ match against Atletico-MG on Wednesday.
The Brazilian international had been out for six weeks due to a thigh injury and was making his first start in the Brazilian Serie A this season. Wearing a special “100” shirt to mark his 100th appearance at Santos’ Vila Belmiro stadium, Neymar’s comeback seemed promising until disaster struck.
Just 34 minutes into the match, Neymar appeared to gesture towards the bench following a goal by Alvaro Barreal that put Atletico-MG 2-0 ahead. The star forward then sat down on the field, clutching his left thigh. Medical staff quickly attended to Neymar, and it was soon decided that he could not continue. A visibly emotional Neymar was escorted off the field on a buggy, with his teammates, as well as former Brazil international Hulk, offering comfort.
“It’s still too early to give any definitive answer,” Santos coach Cesar Sampaio said after the match. “We don’t have a diagnosis yet, but now we really have to pray that it’s not something that will keep him out for a long time.”
The injury casts uncertainty over Neymar’s future with Santos, where he had made eight appearances and scored three goals since returning to the club from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal. Neymar has been Brazil’s record scorer, but has not played for the national team since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear in October 2023. His withdrawal from Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia was a bitter blow.
As Santos and the wider football world await further updates on Neymar’s condition, fans will be hoping this injury doesn’t sideline one of football’s brightest talents for an extended period.
