Brazilian talisman, Neymar Jr., has suffered yet another injury setback, just 34 minutes into his return for Santos in the Brasileirão, transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano discloses.
“Neymar Jr leaves the pitch with a new injury as Santos started him tonight in the Brasileirão. After 34 minutes, Neymar has been subbed off,” Romano reported on Wednesday.
The development is the latest in a string of injury troubles that have plagued the 33-year-old in recent times.
Earlier in January 2025, Neymar ended his short and injury-hit stint with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
The Saudi Arabian club confirmed the mutual termination of his contract, which was originally signed in August 2023.
“The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” Al-Hilal stated.
Neymar, who joined Al-Hilal in a high-profile deal worth an estimated $104 million a year, appeared in only seven games before being sidelined by injuries. He injured his cruciate ligament during a World Cup qualification for Brazil in October 2023, just two months into his Saudi stay, and then had a hamstring injury when he returned in late 2024.
Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus stated at the time, “He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”
Despite his injury struggles, Neymar has declared his intention to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN in January.
Following his departure from Al-Hilal, Neymar was linked to a return to Brazil with Santos, the club that propelled him to global notoriety. Negotiations were confirmed, and his latest start in the Brasileirão was his first significant appearance back in Brazil.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 games, has had his once-famous career derailed by a string of injuries.
Once billed as Pelé’s heir, he was a key member of the renowned Barcelona trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, and he holds the record for the most expensive transfer in football history, a €220 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
He won five Ligue 1 titles with PSG and helped them reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2020, but internal problems and injuries forced him to leave for Saudi Arabia.
