Neymar left the pitch in tears just 34 minutes into his first start in the Brazilian Serie A Championship this season after injuring his leg on what was his 100th appearance for Santos.
The 33-year-old forward wore a special number 100 shirt to commemorate reaching a century of appearances for his boyhood club at their home ground, Vila Belmiro stadium.
But the celebrations were cut short as Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer signalled to the bench shortly after the half-hour mark that he could no longer continue and was visibly emotional when leaving the pitch on a buggy.
Santos won the match 2-0 against Atletico-MG, and marked Neymar’s first start in Brazil’s domestic league this term after returning to the squad against Fluminense last weekend following a six-week absence with a thigh injury.
He could be seen clutching the same thigh, suggesting he may have suffered a repeat injury.
PRÍNCIPE! A nação santista está com você. 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/jXRAjSKnNv
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) April 17, 2025
However, his manager said the extent of the injury remained unclear.
“It’s still too early to give any definitive answer, we don’t have a diagnosis yet,” said Santos coach and former Brazil international, Cesar Sampaio.
“Now we really have to pray that it’s not something that will keep him out for a long time.”
Neymar returned to Santos from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal at the end of January, making eight appearances and scoring three goals in that time.
The former Barcelona and PSG star has not played for the national side since October 2023 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
He was named in Brazil’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia but was forced to withdraw following injury.
Santos are currently 12th in the league after four matches, winning one, drawing one and losing two.
