The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos, Brazil. The air was thick with anticipation as fans gathered to witness their beloved team take on their arch-rivals, the Sao Paulo Corinthians, in the semifinal of the Paulista Championship. But amidst the chants and cheers, there was a noticeable absence. Neymar, the hometown hero of Santos, was missing from the lineup.
At 33, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior had returned to his roots just three months earlier, signing with Santos in January 2025 after a difficult spell in Saudi Arabia. His homecoming was met with jubilation—a return that promised redemption after his tumultuous stint with Al Hilal had yielded more disappointments than triumphs. But the fairy tale quickly encountered complications.
Santos’ medical staff confirmed that Neymar’s absence from the crucial semifinal was due to a moderate quadriceps strain suffered during training two days before the match. The injury, while not severe, marked another setback in a troubling pattern. It was his fourth muscle injury since August 2023, when he first joined Al Hilal for a reported €90 million transfer fee—only to play just seven matches for the Saudi club due to persistent fitness issues.
The absence of Neymar proved decisive in Santos’ 2-1 defeat to Corinthians. Without their creative catalyst, the team struggled to break down a disciplined defense. Manager Pedro Caixinha acknowledged the challenge in his post-match press conference: “Of course we miss a player of Neymar’s quality, but we must find solutions as a team.”
Neymar addressed the situation through his social media accounts the following day. “I’ve been feeling discomfort for about ten days and decided with the medical team not to risk a more serious injury,” he explained. “Let’s not make a big deal out of it. I expect to be back training with the squad within a week.”
The timing of this setback has raised concerns beyond the Paulista Championship. Brazil national team coach Dorival Júnior had just announced Neymar’s inclusion in the squad for an upcoming World Cup qualifier against Argentina scheduled for March 20—potentially marking Neymar’s first appearance for the Seleção in 15 months. His previous international appearance ended with a devastating ACL tear during a match against Uruguay in October 2023, an injury that required surgery and nearly a year of rehabilitation.
“The national team doctors are in contact with Santos medical staff,” Dorival confirmed in a press conference. “We remain hopeful that Neymar will recover in time, but we must prepare alternatives. His experience would be valuable against Argentina, but his long-term health is the priority.”
As Neymar works toward recovery at Santos’ training complex, questions persist about his durability. Since leaving Barcelona in 2017, he has missed over 150 matches due to various injuries—a troubling statistic for a player once considered the natural heir to Messi and Ronaldo.
Despite these challenges, Neymar maintains the positive outlook that has characterized his career. “Football has given me everything,” he told reporters last week. “I owe it to myself, my team, and my fans to keep fighting, no matter what. This is just another obstacle to overcome.”
As the lights dimmed over Vila Belmiro after the defeat, Santos supporters departed with mixed emotions—disappointment over the result, but hope that their returning star would soon be fit to lead their campaign in the remaining competitions. For Neymar, the coming weeks represent yet another opportunity to prove that his story of brilliance interrupted by injury might still have chapters of triumph ahead.
