Neymar sustained a left knee injury during Santos' 1-1 draw with Mirassol on 19/11 and was absent from the subsequent 1-1 draw against Internacional five days later.

Neymar celebrating a goal during Santos' 1-1 draw with Mirassol on 19/11. Photo: Gazeta Press

According to ESPN, examination results confirmed the 33-year-old forward suffered damage to his left meniscus. While not severe, Neymar requires arthroscopic intervention, with a projected recovery period of three weeks.

This means the Brazilian star will be unavailable for Santos' final three Brazil national championship matches: at home against Sport, away against Juventude, and at home against Cruzeiro.

Santos reportedly wishes to postpone the surgery until the end of the season to explore temporary treatment options, aiming for Neymar to continue playing.

According to Transfermarkt, this marks Neymar's 15th injury since the 2021-2022 season. In total, the Brazilian forward has missed 139 matches, accumulating 929 days on the sidelines.

During his time with PSG, Neymar suffered four injuries, missing 21 matches and 115 days in the 2021-2022 season. The following season, the Brazilian forward was injured two times but missed 141 days and 20 matches.

Neymar's injury situation worsened after joining Al Hilal in the summer of 2023. In the 2023-2024 season, he was injured two times, sidelined for 371 days, and missed 53 matches. This number slightly decreased in the 2024-2025 season, with the Brazilian forward missing 209 days and 33 matches.

Neymar has been injured 15 times and sidelined for 929 days in the last five seasons. Photo: Transfermarkt

Consistent injuries have limited Neymar's contribution, with only one goal and two assists in seven appearances for Al Hilal. In 1/2025, he terminated his contract early with the Saudi Arabian club and reached an agreement to return to Santos.

Since his return, Neymar has sustained two injuries, missing 93 days and 12 matches. This figure could increase if he undergoes knee arthroscopy and misses the rest of the season. Neymar has scored seven goals and provided three assists for Santos across all competitions.

Neymar was once one of the world's top players, scoring 105 goals in 186 matches for Barca and 118 goals in 173 matches for PSG. He won one Champions League, two La Liga titles, and five Ligue 1 titles. He remains the most expensive player in the world, following his USD 263 million transfer from Barca to PSG in 2017.

Neymar is also Brazil's all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals in 128 matches, surpassing Pele's previous record by two goals. In 2016, he helped his country secure its first Olympic men's football gold medal at the London Games.

In the World Cup, Neymar and his teammates reached the semifinals in 2014 and the quarterfinals in 2018 and 2022. He has expressed his desire to participate in the 2026 World Cup. However, coach Carlo Ancelotti affirmed he would only select Neymar if he is in peak physical condition.

Hong Duy (according to ESPN, Transfermarkt)