Key Takeaways:
- Neymar was ruled out for the rest of Santos’ 2025 campaign after sustaining a left knee meniscus injury earlier this month
- Santos currently occupy 17th place in Serie A, sitting one point below the safety zone after Monday’s 1-1 draw at Internacional
- Neymar has recorded seven goals and three assists in 27 appearances across all competitions for Santos in 2025
Injury Setback Threatens Santos’ Relegation Battle
Neymar’s return to his childhood club has taken another turn for the worse, with the forward now ruled out for the remainder of Santos’ Serie A relegation battle due to a fresh injury setback. The 33-year-old was unavailable for the 1-1 draw at Internacional on Monday after experiencing knee discomfort during the match preparations. While initial hopes were that he would only sit out a single fixture and return for Saturday’s crucial contest against Sport, updated medical reports have revealed a more severe diagnosis.
🚨 Neymar is OUT for the rest of 2025, according to geglobo 🤕🩼
Neymar has suffered a knee injury keeping him out of action for the rest of the year 😭
Santos currently sit in the relegation zone with three matches to go, while Neymar's hopes of the 2026 World Cup slowly fade… pic.twitter.com/4pw7gS8VSi
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 25, 2025
According to Globo Esporte, Neymar has suffered a meniscus injury in his left knee, leaving him sidelined for the rest of the 2025 season. The diagnosis was confirmed following tests conducted in Sao Paulo on Tuesday. The problem initially emerged during the first half of Santos’ 1-1 draw with Mirassol on 19 November, although Neymar completed the full match despite the complaint.
Manager’s Optimism Dashes as Confirmation Arrives
Despite Santos manager Vojvoda expressing hope after Monday night’s match that Neymar would be available for the fixture against Sport, he will now be without his star player for the critical run-in. 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.
“Before the Mirassol game, he felt discomfort in his knee. He also felt it during the game. The following day, he was experiencing significant discomfort in that knee. We know we have games every three days. With travel, we’ll arrive in Santos tomorrow afternoon… He’s a player we need for all three rounds and he’ll help us. He’s our leader on the field. He’ll be there. He felt he wouldn’t be able to meet the demands of today’s game.”
However, confirmation of the meniscus injury dashed these intentions, compounding nervousness for a side now entrenched in a relegation fight. Santos currently sit 17th in the table, just one point below Vitoria, who occupy the lowest safe position in Serie A.
Recurring Fitness Problems Cloud Neymar’s Future
Neymar re-joined Santos in January on an initial six-month contract, later extended until December. Prior to his homecoming, his tenure with Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal was cut short by an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in October 2023, also in his left knee.
His second spell at Santos has been plagued by recurring physical issues. The meniscus injury is now his fourth notable setback since returning: a left hamstring problem in March, a left thigh injury in April that reduced him to tears, and a right thigh issue in September all contributed to a disrupted campaign. Across all competitions in 2025, Neymar registered seven goals and three assists over 27 appearances.
| Date | Injury | Location |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Left hamstring injury | Hamstring (left) |
| April 2025 | Left thigh injury | Thigh (left) |
| September 2025 | Right thigh injury | Thigh (right) |
| November 2025 | Left knee meniscus injury | Knee (left) |
Uncertainty Over International Ambitions
Neymar’s latest setback brings fresh uncertainty over his involvement in the national team and his prospects for the 2026 World Cup. As he will not play again this year and with the new Brazilian season commencing in late March, a lengthy recovery period lies ahead. Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti recently commented: “Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup. He has six months to make the final list.
“Neymar has recovered, but he needs to show performance. When the Brazilian league ends, he’ll have some vacation time, and then he must show his quality and physical condition again.”
“The truth is that soccer today asks for many things, not just talent. Also, physical condition, intensity. Hopefully, Neymar can be at his best level. He needs to play more centrally, not as a winger. Wingers in today’s soccer are players you need to help also defensively. When you play a little bit more inside the defensive work is much less than if you play as a winger.”
