Brazilian forward Neymar is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during Santos’ 2-0 win over Atletico Mineiro on Thursday. The injury occurred in the 34th minute of the match, just as Neymar was marking his 100th appearance for Santos, leading to an early exit from the game. This unanticipated injury brought an abrupt end to what was supposed to be a significant milestone in his career with the Brazilian club.

ESPN reports that, while the hamstring injury is serious, it does not involve the same muscle that Neymar previously damaged during his time at Al-Hilal. The forward, who has struggled with recurring injury issues over the past year, had hoped to establish a period of fitness and form following his move back to Santos in an effort to aid their recovery after their relegation in 2023. Unfortunately, this setback is another unfortunate chapter in his ongoing battle to maintain peak fitness after a series of injuries, including a significant ACL tear last October that saw him miss the majority of the 2023/24 season.

The recurrence of muscular problems continues to cast a shadow over Neymar’s efforts to rejuvenate his career with Santos. Despite his potential and skill, Neymar’s injuries have slowed his ability to contribute consistently to the team’s success. Santos, having had a challenging start to the 2024 season with only four points from their opening four fixtures in the Brazilian Serie A, will now have to move forward without their star player for a substantial period, which further hampers their early-season ambitions. The club's management will now proceed with caution as Neymar undergoes rehabilitation to ensure that he can return to action as soon as possible and hopefully make a significant impact in the remainder of the campaign.