What was supposed to be a night of pride and joy quickly turned heartbreaking for Neymar and fans of Santos.
The Brazilian superstar, who returned to his boyhood club amid much fanfare, was forced off the field in tears on Wednesday night after picking up yet another injury—this time, what looked like a thigh problem.
He had barely made it through 34 minutes of play before the injury struck.
The 33-year-old tried to carry on but ultimately couldn’t continue.
In a moment that’s become all too familiar throughout his career, Neymar buried his face in his shirt, visibly emotional as the medical team came to his aid.
Wearing the Number 100 With Pride — Until Things Went South
The match was meant to mark a personal milestone for Neymar—his 100th home appearance for Santos.
He even wore the number 100 on his back in tribute. But instead of a celebration, the evening turned somber.
Neymar had only just returned to action the previous weekend after missing six weeks with a similar thigh issue.
He came off the bench in that match against Fluminense, and many were hopeful he was back for good.
But from the start of Wednesday’s game against Atlético Mineiro, Neymar looked uncomfortable.
He played with heavy strapping on his leg, and his movement seemed restricted. It now appears that he may have rushed back too soon.
Support from a Fellow Brazilian Star
One touching moment came from former Brazil teammate Hulk, who was playing for Atlético-MG.
As Neymar was being helped off the pitch, Hulk approached to offer his support.
It was a reminder of the brotherhood and mutual respect among players who’ve shared so many high-stakes moments together in the national colors.
Coach Sampaio Urges Patience as Santos Awaits Diagnosis
Santos head coach César Sampaio gave a brief update after the match, telling ESPN that it’s too early for a clear diagnosis.
“That will be done tomorrow,” he explained. “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.”
Given Neymar’s history with injuries, fans are understandably nervous.
His recent recovery came after a brutal ACL rupture and meniscus tear in his left knee back in October 2023—an injury that sidelined him for nearly a year.
Neymar’s Ongoing Battle with Injuries
Since his headline-making £77.6 million move to Al-Hilal in 2023, Neymar has barely been able to stay on the field.
He played only seven games for the Saudi club before returning to Santos, where he’s made just eight appearances so far.
According to Transfermarkt, this latest injury marks the 42nd time in his career that Neymar has been forced out of action due to injury, a knock, or fitness concerns.
That’s an eye-watering number for any athlete, and it paints a frustrating picture of a player who, at his best, dazzled the world—but who’s constantly been held back by his own body.
