Neymar Jr

Neymar accomplished a feat more akin to folklore on Wednesday as he scored a hat-trick in Santos’ 3-0 victory against Juventude which might’ve saved his boyhood club from relegation.

The 33-year-old Brazilian icon has been playing injured with a meniscus problem that will require surgery. Despite being told by doctors not to play, Neymar is refusing to see Santos get relegated and is playing through the pain for the final games of the season.

Neymar will miss Brazil's final two World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia next week, extending his absence from international duty to nearly two years.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti left the Santos star out of his 23-man squad announced on Monday, citing a minor leg muscle injury sustained last week as the reason for his latest omission. Brazil have already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup.

Last time Neymar played for Brazil

Neymar's injury woes continued on Wednesday when the Santos forward left the pitch in tears due to a left thigh problem in the first half of their 2-0 win over Atletico Mineiro in Brazil's Serie A.

The 33-year-old sustained a serious knee injury in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to return to full fitness, though his recent form at Santos was rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad in March.

Brazil have called up teenage Real Madrid striker Endrick to replace the injured Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers, the country's FA announced on Friday.

Santos forward Neymar was set to make his return to the Brazil team after more than a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury suffered in late 2023.

However, the 33-year-old has been ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after sustaining a muscle injury.

Neymar injury sees him miss international break

Brazil have recalled Santos forward Neymar for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina after more than a year, the soccer federation announced on Thursday.

The 33-year-old sustained a knee injury in Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 and has struggled to get back to his best and secure a spot in the squad.

Neymar Brazil roster inclusion

Let’s not forget Neymar was close to joining MLS this year…

Neymar Jr.’s highly-anticipated return to Brazil has already wrapped the 32-year-old into controversy, with the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker leading the charge among Brazilian Série A players opposing the use of artificial turf for league matches, demanding natural grass instead.

Neymar turf protest: demands natural grass stadiums in Brazil

Brazil forward Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, he posted on social media on Thursday.

Neymar, 32, joined Al-Hilal from Paris St Germain for a reported $93.8 million in 2023 but he managed only seven appearances for them after suffering a serious knee injury.

Neymar Santos transfer

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Lionel Messi wanted to make Neymar the best player in the world.

In a candid interview with Brazilian national team legend, Romario, on the Romario Onze podcast, Neymar Jr. opened up about the real reasons he left FC Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, offering more insight into one of the most talked-about transfers in soccer history.

Neymar could be departing Saudi Arabia this summer as his contract with Al Hilal ends and making a move to the United States. Reports from ESPN, GiveMeSport and FootMercato say that a Neymar Chicago Fire move is being discussed.

Fans have believed that Inter Miami would be Neymar’s next destination to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Neymar himself hinted at this move during an interview with CNN this month.