Neymar diagnosed with muscle injury, expected to miss up to two months

Santos FC attacker Neymar has been diagnosed with a type 2B muscle injury in the rectus femoris of his right thigh. The injury occurred during a Copa do Brasil match against Palmeiras at Vila Belmiro. Medical examinations indicate a partial rupture of the muscle fibers, with a projected recovery period of four to eight weeks, potentially keeping him sidelined until early November.

Neymar publicly criticized the condition of the Vila Belmiro pitch, describing it as the “worst pitch the Vila has ever had” due to holes caused by soil decompaction performed just a day before the match. He blamed the field conditions for his injury and those of teammates Lucas Veríssimo and Álvaro Barreal. Veríssimo is also sidelined with a right ankle sprain, while Barreal is treating a type 2A injury in his left biceps femoris.

The injury will cause Neymar to miss approximately ten to thirteen matches, including crucial fixtures in the Campeonato Brasileiro and the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals against Atlético Mineiro. Santos president Marcelo Teixeira noted that while Neymar remains vital to the club's restructuring, his contract expires at the end of 2026, and formal renewal talks are currently paused due to the club's ongoing electoral process.