Neymar Leaves Pitch In Tears After Another Injury Setback at Santos

‎Neymar’s highly anticipated first start back in the Brazilian Championship was cut short when he had to leave Santos’ 2-0 win over Atlético-MG after just 34 minutes.

‎The Brazilian star suffered a left thigh injury during the match.

‎Wearing a special No. 100 jersey to commemorate his 100th appearance at Vila Belmiro, Neymar began the match with both legs visibly strapped.

‎It wasn’t long before he showed signs of discomfort in his left thigh, the same area that had caused him to miss six weeks of action following an injury in a Campeonato Paulista match.

‎The 33-year-old had just returned from injury as a substitute in the game against Fluminense on Sunday.

‎Shortly after Santos extended their lead with a second goal, the forward gestured towards the bench, requesting a substitution. He then sunk down on the field and required assistance as he exited the pitch.

‎An emotional Neymar was comforted by both teammates and opposing players, including former Brazil teammate Hulk. Once he reached the bench, he quickly started receiving treatment, with an ice pack placed on his injured thigh.

‎”It’s still too early, we don’t have a diagnosis. That will be done tomorrow,” Santos interim head coach César Sampaio told reporters.

‎”It’s a very important loss … We have to pray that it’s not something that will cause him to be absent for a long time.”

‎Neymar’s left-thigh injury had led him to miss out on Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina last month.

‎Brazil has been without their star since October 2023, when he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee.

‎He was included in Brazil’s squad for the March qualifiers after regaining his fitness following his move to his boyhood club, Santos, during the January transfer window.