An unexpected blow for Neymar and Santos

What initially seemed like a minor physical issue has turned into the worst-case scenario. Neymar, who was first expected to miss only Monday’s match for Santos due to discomfort in his knee, has now been diagnosed with a meniscus injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season. The club confirmed the news in a statement that hit like a bucket of cold water for a team already living on the edge.

The Brasileirão ends on December 7, and Santos have just three matches left to escape relegation. But their marquee star won’t be there: Neymar will watch the decisive stretch from the stands, unable to help at the most critical moment of the campaign.

A 2025 to forget

This is already Neymar’s fourth injury of the year, a streak that has turned his return to Brazil into a roller coaster of setbacks and frustration. Every attempt at recovery seems to meet a new physical hurdle, complicating not only his present but also his immediate future.

And it’s precisely that future that worries all of Brazil: with the 2026 World Cup approaching, this new injury seriously compromises his chances of making the final squad. The lack of rhythm and continuous layoffs are a massive obstacle for a player who needs to be physically at his peak.

Ancelotti isn’t convinced

Since taking charge of the Brazilian national team, Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t called Neymar up once. The decision has sparked debate, but the Italian-Spanish coach has consistently said he needs players who are available, fit, and playing regularly.

With this latest setback, the situation becomes even more complicated. The question is no longer just whether Neymar will recover in time, but whether Ancelotti will see fit to take a player who hasn’t had continuity for months and whose medical record grows more concerning with each passing season.

An open ending full of uncertainty

The blow hits on every front: Santos lose their leader in the middle of a relegation battle, Neymar adds yet another injury to a year full of setbacks, and Brazil watches one of its biggest idols set off alarm bells again.

With six months to go before the World Cup, time is not on his side. And although history shows Neymar always finds a way to return, this time the mountain looks steeper than ever.