Neymar faces two months on sidelines

Santos' forward #10 Neymar gestures during the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 football match between Brazil's Santos and Ecuador's Macara, at the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Santos, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 13, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Neymar is expected to miss up to two months after suffering a new injury blow while playing for Santos.

The 34-year-old was diagnosed with a grade two tear in his right quadriceps, a setback that will sideline him for up to 13 matches, news outlet Globo Esporte reported.

It added that Santos had told Neymar not to rush his return, given the forward's struggle with injuries over the past three years.

Neymar, who is Brazil's all-time leading scorer, has made just 24 appearances for Santos this year amid recurring leg muscle and knee injuries.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star announced his international retirement in July after Brazil's round of 16 exit at the FIFA World Cup.