Neymar’s high-profile return to Santos in early 2025 has fallen short of expectations due to a frustrating string of injuries. Now sidelined with a muscular issue, the Brazilian star’s future remains uncertain, as fans wonder whether he’ll return to the pitch—or move on to a new chapter—before his contract expires.
After recovering from the injury that kept him out of Brazil’s March internationals, Neymar made his return to action but lasted only two games. On April 16 against Atletico Mineiro, he suffered a tear in the semimembranosus muscle of his left thigh, as confirmed by Santos—once again ruling him out of action.
Nearly two months have passed since Neymar left Vila Belmiro in tears, and he has yet to fully recover. Still, there is growing optimism that the 33-year-old could return in the coming weeks.
The estimated recovery time for his injury is three to four weeks. If all goes according to plan, Neymar could be available for two final appearances before his deal expires on June 30: June 1 vs. Botafogo and June 12 vs. Fortaleza in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
According to local reports, Neymar has been putting in double training sessions at the Rei Pele Training Center to accelerate his recovery. He’s expected to rejoin full team training in the final week of May, putting him on track to return by early June.
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If he misses both games, the forward will have been absent for eight matches since suffering the latest setback. During that stretch, Santos have lost all three of their league games, dropping to 19th in the table and into the relegation zone. Both Neymar and the club are counting on his return to help reverse their poor run of form.
Will Neymar stay at Santos?
When Neymar signed with Santos in February, the expectation was that he would feature in 24 matches before the deal ended. So far, he has played in just nine of the team’s 18 games this season—raising questions about his long-term future in Brazil.
However, according to Globo Esporte, both Neymar and Santos are working toward a contract extension. The club reportedly hopes to keep him at least through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a potential salary increase by the end of next year.
Both sides agree that Santos offers Neymar the ideal environment to regain fitness, earn consistent playing time, and position himself for a return to Brazil’s national team. While no official announcement has been made, the immediate focus is on Neymar’s recovery—so he can return to form and play a role in the club’s rebuilding project.
