Neymar limping off the pitch during a Santos match
Santos coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda has delivered a candid update on Neymar’s latest injury setback, following the star forward’s withdrawal from the Brazilian Serie A clash with Internacional. The 33-year-old had just returned from a hamstring injury but was forced to miss Monday’s game due to a fresh knee issue.
Neymar rejoined Santos in January 2025 after a long ACL injury kept him out for nearly 18 months. His return from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal was meant to reignite his career, but injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress. Across all competitions, he has managed seven goals and three assists in 25 matches, but his ongoing fitness issues have delayed a return to the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Despite featuring in Santos’ last three Serie A matches, Neymar reportedly experienced knee discomfort throughout the week leading up to the Internacional clash, forcing him to sit out.
After a 1-1 draw, Vojvoda told reporters:
“The plan is for him to be in the match against Sport. I have to talk to him; I’m not in his physical presence and I will respect Neymar’s decisions. But his commitment is to be there, he always wants to be there. He felt he wouldn’t be able to meet the demands of today’s game.”
The coach emphasized Neymar’s importance to the squad:
“He’s a player we need for all three rounds and he’ll help us. He’s our leader on the field.”
Neymar’s current contract expires at the end of 2025, and he has yet to enter formal negotiations for a new deal. There is speculation he could consider a return to Europe, but Santos president Marcelo Teixeira remains optimistic:
“Neymar’s project is the 2026 World Cup. If there’s consensus, he will extend. There is great trust between him and the club, and I believe we’ll find a solution at the right moment.”
With Santos depending on Neymar’s leadership and talent, the club will need to manage his fitness carefully while also planning for the possibility of contract negotiations. For Neymar, every minute on the pitch is a chance to prove he’s ready for the 2026 World Cup stage — assuming his body holds up.
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