Neymar to miss rest of 2025? The Brazilian star reportedly suffers a devastating injury with Santos in the relegation zone

Neymar made headlines again in recent weeks after missing another one Santos match due to a new injury problem. Now that Santos has slipped back into the relegation zone, the Peixe have been hit with even more bad news: the Brazil The star has suffered another setback, raising serious doubts over whether he will play again in 2025.

As reported by Globo Esporte on Tuesday, Neymar is unlikely to return Santos at any time for the remainder of 2025. The attacker suffered from a meniscus injury in his left kneeand the recovery process required to be fully fit is expected to rule him out of the Brasileirão’s final three matches.

Concerns surrounding Neymar first increased in the match against Mirassol on November 19. The Brazilian legend opened the scoring in the 4th minute, ending a three-month goal drought, but in the 30th minute, while trying to dribble past defender Jemmes, he developed pain and required medical attention for his left knee.

Although Neymar managed to play the full 90 minutes against Mirassol, giving fans brief relief, he did not travel with the squad to Porto Alegre for Monday’s match against International. According to UOL Esportsthe decision came afterwards Neymar experienced significant discomfort in his left kneeand shows pain when attempting to bend it.

Two days after being ruled out of the team, news emerged that the injury was more serious than initially thought, forcing Neymar to miss the remainder of 2025. the same leg in which he suffered a meniscus and ACL tear in 2023 With the national team, both club and player are expected to take a cautious approach to avoid another long-term setback.

Santos is battling relegation without Neymar

Neymar’s injury comes at the worst possible time for Santos, who now face the final three rounds of the Brasileirão without his biggest star. After Monday’s 1-1 draw against Internacional the Peixe are in 17th place with 38 points from 35 gamesoccupying final relegation spot and just one point behind 16th-place Vitória.

Santos’ next match is Friday against Sport Recifewho are in 20th place at the bottom of the table with 17 points and have already been relegated, making it a matchup that the Peixe should take advantage of. Then they will be confronted Youth on WednesdayOn December 3, another opponent from the relegation zone will be in 19th place with 33 points, a second meeting in which Santos will be considered favorites.

The last match could be decisive, like Santos will host third-place Cruzeiro in Vila Belmiro on Sunday, December 7in a match that could decide their fate in front of their home fans. Besides needing results elsewhere, especially from Vitória, the Peixe will have to make do without Neymar, who may be living his last moments as a Santos player, now from the sidelines rather than on the pitch.