Neymar Injured 34 Minutes into Santos Match

Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. has suffered another setback, getting injured just 34 minutes into his highly anticipated return for Santos in the Brasileirão.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported the news, highlighting the growing list of physical troubles that have plagued the latter stages of Neymar’s career.

“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 wrote on Wednesday.

This latest incident adds to the series of injuries that have cast doubt on Neymar’s ability to regain peak form. The 33-year-old had recently terminated his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in January 2025, ending a brief stint marked by recurring injuries and limited appearances.

During his time with Al-Hilal, Neymar played just seven matches after signing in August 2023 on a reported $104 million-per-year deal. Injuries, including a ruptured cruciate ligament sustained in October 2023 during a Brazil World Cup qualifier, severely limited his playing time. A hamstring issue during his attempted comeback in late 2024 further complicated matters.

Al-Hilal’s head coach, Jorge Jesus, had expressed concerns about Neymar’s fitness, stating, “He can no longer play at the level we are used to. Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”

Despite these setbacks, Neymar remains committed to representing Brazil 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.

Neymar’s return to Santos, the club where he rose to international stardom, was expected to mark a new chapter in his career. Instead, the injury has reignited concerns about his long-term fitness and future in the sport.

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 127 appearances. Once regarded as Pelé’s successor, he had a storied career with Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a record-breaking €220 million.

Despite winning five Ligue 1 titles and reaching a UEFA Champions League final, his time in Europe was often disrupted by injuries and internal discord.