Neymar Diagnosed with Fresh Leg Injury, Says Santos

Santos striker Neymar has been diagnosed with a new muscle injury in his leg, the club announced on Friday, adding to his continued fight to get fit again.

The 33-year-old was taken off in the 34th minute of Santos' 2-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro on Wednesday and tests subsequently indicated damage to the semimembranosus muscle in his hamstring, Xinhua reports say.

"It's still too early to give a clear answer, we don't yet have a clear diagnosis," Santos coach Cesar Sampaio said. "At this stage, we can only hope it's not something that will keep him out for a long time."

In a formal statement, Santos made it clear that the injury now is not connected to an earlier one.

"The number 10 started treatment and will keep up muscle-strengthening exercises," the club stated, but did not state when he will be recovered.

Neymar has suffered a number of soft-tissue injuries since returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in October last year, after a year of being out of action.

He briefly recovered shape, earning himself a return call-up to the Brazil squad for World Cup qualification in March but was subsequently pulled out owing to another muscle injury. Neymar, who had not played for Brazil since October 2023 after sustaining a knee injury, was substituted with 17-year-old Real Madrid striker Endrick.

"He will be reviewed regularly for continued monitoring and possible new treatment regimens," Santos said. "It was always anticipated that such complications might occur because of his period of inactivity."

Since his return to Santos from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, Neymar has played eight times and scored three goals.