Neymar Jr., star of Santos and the Brazilian national team, has been ruled out of the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers due to a mild muscle injury in his left thigh, identified as a grade 1 strain. The issue, deemed minor, was confirmed by Santos on Friday, March 14, following an MRI that revealed an edema in the posterior thigh region, with no fiber rupture. Experts estimate that treatment, centered on intensive physiotherapy, will take two to three weeks, aiming to have the player back for Santos’ Brasileirão debut against Vasco on March 30 at São Januário. The injury comes at a pivotal moment for Neymar, who returned to football in 2025 after over a year sidelined by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee, sustained in October 2023 during a Brazil-Uruguay match. Since rejoining Santos in January, he played seven Paulistão games, scoring three goals and providing three assists, but now faces a fresh physical setback.
The announcement brought relief to Santos fans and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which is closely monitoring his recovery with the club. The muscle edema, marked by swelling from inflammation, is typical in athletes resuming high-intensity play after long breaks, as with Neymar. Santos, out of the Paulista Championship, is now focused on rehabilitating him for the Série A start, while Brazil chose to preserve him for Qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina on March 21 and 26. Neymar’s injury history, including the ACL tear and prior muscle issues, sparks discussions about the care needed to keep him at peak performance.
Despite the optimistic timeline, Neymar’s return hinges on his response to treatment. Santos reported that he’s already on a physiotherapy regimen at the CT Rei Pelé and at home, with daily sessions to speed up recovery. The hope is that he’ll be fit to bolster Santos in the Brasileirão, where the team aims to reclaim its stature after returning from Série B in 2024.
1️⃣6️⃣ anos do primeiro gol profissional de Neymar Jr! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/HJMCbwzLJM
— Santos FC (@SantosFC) March 15, 2025
Details of the injury and initial care
What happened to Neymar
Neymar’s muscle issue emerged on March 6, when he reported discomfort in his left thigh during a training session at CT Rei Pelé. Initial tests detected an edema, and this week’s MRI confirmed a grade 1 strain, the mildest form of such injuries. The edema, causing swelling, pain, and warmth, stems from inflammation in the posterior thigh muscles, which span the hip and knee. Specialists note that this injury often occurs at the muscle-tendon junction, typically due to muscular imbalance, possibly worsened by his prolonged ACL recovery, which may have weakened the posterior thigh relative to the anterior.
Santos opted to rest Neymar in the Paulistão’s final stages, prioritizing full recovery. Though already eliminated from the state tournament, the club’s caution aims to ensure he’s ready for the Brasileirão, where he’s central to coach Fábio Carille’s strategy. The CBF agreed to his exclusion from the Qualifiers, avoiding risks that could escalate the edema into a more severe injury like a fiber tear.
First steps in recovery
Since the diagnosis, Neymar has followed a rigorous physiotherapy plan, with twice-daily sessions split between CT Rei Pelé and his home. The treatment targets edema reduction using techniques like cryotherapy, massages, and light mobility exercises, avoiding strain on the affected area. The lack of fiber rupture is a plus, speeding up recovery, though the exact timeline depends on his individual response, influenced by nutrition and cellular regeneration.
Context of the injury and physical challenges
Neymar’s injury history
Neymar’s career has been punctuated by injuries that often disrupt his momentum at key times. His most severe setback came in October 2023, when he tore his left knee’s ACL and meniscus against Uruguay in a Qualifiers match. After surgery in November that year and over 12 months of rehab, he returned in October 2024 with Al-Hilal, only to suffer a thigh muscle injury in his second game, limiting him to seven appearances in Saudi Arabia. Joining Santos in January 2025, he quickly took the captain’s armband and flashed his brilliance, but this latest injury renews concerns about his physical resilience.
Experts suggest his year-long hiatus may have left lingering effects, such as muscle imbalances between the anterior and posterior thigh, especially since the ACL graft came from his hamstrings. Additionally, playing seven games in under two months for Paulistão, after such a long break, likely caused the overload leading to the current edema. Still, the mild nature of this injury offers hope compared to his past, more serious setbacks.
Recovery timeline
Santos and the CBF outlined a tentative plan for Neymar’s return, based on the diagnosis:
- March 15-22: Intensive physiotherapy to reduce edema and begin light strengthening.
- March 23-29: Transition to on-field training with a ball, pending progress.
- March 30: Potential Brasileirão debut against Vasco, if cleared by the medical team.
The club aims to have him ready by March 30, but caution prevails to prevent setbacks, given his critical role this season.
Measures to prevent future injuries
To ensure a safe return, Santos employs a gradual approach:
- Daily physiotherapy focusing on swelling reduction and mobility.
- Muscle strengthening to balance the affected thigh.
- Phased return to training, starting with light activities and building to high intensity.
This plan seeks to heal the current injury and reduce future risks, vital for an athlete with a history of interruptions.
Impact on Santos and Brazil
Neymar sidelined for Qualifiers
Cutting Neymar from the Colombia and Argentina matches was a joint decision by Santos and the CBF, prioritizing his health. He was set to start in the Qualifiers, but the risk of worsening the edema prompted his exclusion. Coach Dorival Júnior lamented the loss but emphasized preserving him for future games. With 79 goals in 128 caps, Neymar remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer and a cornerstone of the 2026 World Cup campaign.
For Santos, the injury is a hiccup, but optimism persists. Out of Paulistão, the club shifts focus to preparing for the Brasileirão, where Neymar’s presence as captain in six of his seven state games underscores his leadership on and off the pitch.
Gearing up for the Brasileirão
With the Série A opener set for March 30, Santos has just over two weeks to get Neymar fit. The away clash with Vasco marks the team’s return to the top flight after a successful 2024 Série B campaign. Neymar’s participation is key to boosting attendance and sponsorships, while lifting the squad’s technical level as they aim to reestablish themselves among Brazil’s elite.
The club’s medical staff collaborates with Neymar’s long-time professionals, ensuring tailored care. The goal is for him to resume ball training the week before the match, allowing a possible debut, even if with limited minutes.
Neymar’s legacy at Santos
Neymar’s 2025 return to Santos reunited him with the club where he rose to fame from 2009 to 2013. Back then, he won the 2011 Copa Libertadores, 2010 Copa do Brasil, and three Paulista titles, leaving a legacy of 136 goals in 225 games. Now 33, his comeback is both symbolic and technical, leading a team rebuilding after its 2023 Série B drop.
