Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has suffered yet another injury setback, just 34 minutes into his much-anticipated return to Santos in the Brasileirão. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday that the 33-year-old forward was forced to leave the pitch after a brief appearance in the match, marking another unfortunate chapter in his ongoing battle with injuries.
This latest injury comes as a fresh blow to Neymar’s hopes of regaining his form after a tumultuous period plagued by physical issues. His brief return to action with Santos, the club where he first gained international recognition, was met with high expectations, but the injury leaves doubts about his future prospects.
Earlier in January 2025, Neymar ended his brief and injury-riddled tenure at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, where his contract was mutually terminated just months after he joined. The Saudi club confirmed the split, expressing gratitude for his contributions despite the limited impact he made during his time in the Middle East. “We thank Neymar for his efforts during his time with Al-Hilal and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” a statement from the club read.
Neymar’s time at Al-Hilal was marred by a series of setbacks. After a high-profile move worth an estimated $104 million per year, he was sidelined with injuries, making only seven appearances for the club. His troubles began with a ruptured cruciate ligament injury sustained during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil in October 2023, just two months after his arrival in Saudi Arabia. Following a brief recovery period, Neymar suffered a hamstring injury later in 2024, further stalling his return to form. Al-Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, expressed disappointment, acknowledging that Neymar could no longer perform at the level expected, citing the challenges the Brazilian faced in his recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Neymar remains determined to continue his international career, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup serving as his ultimate goal. “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, and I will do everything possible to play in it,” Neymar told CNN in January, reflecting his unwavering commitment to making one final push on the world stage.
After his exit from Al-Hilal, speculation quickly swirled around Neymar’s return to Brazil, with Santos being the most likely destination. Negotiations were confirmed, and the 33-year-old finally made his return to the Brazilian top flight, marking a significant moment in his career. His appearance in the Brasileirão was expected to rejuvenate his legacy in Brazil, but the injury has raised questions about his ability to regain his former glory.
Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer, with 79 goals in 127 appearances, a remarkable achievement that speaks to his immense talent. Once hailed as the successor to Pelé, he had a stellar career at Barcelona, where he formed a deadly attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Neymar also holds the record for the most expensive transfer in football history, with his €220 million move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. While at PSG, Neymar won five Ligue 1 titles and helped the club reach the UEFA Champions League final in 2020, but internal tensions and ongoing injuries ultimately led to his departure to Saudi Arabia.
As Neymar battles to overcome his latest injury, football fans around the world will be watching closely to see if he can return to his previous heights or if this will be the beginning of the end of a glittering but injury-plagued career.
