Having rejoined Santos from Al-Hilal in January, the 33-year-old was expected to lead the club in their highly anticipated return to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. However, doubts lingered over his availability for their first match back in Brazil’s top flight.
Brazilian soccer fans were left disappointed earlier this month when Neymar was forced to withdraw from Brazil’s national team squad due to injury. The absence of the Seleção’s talisman was clearly felt as Brazil suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
The world champions ran riot, with Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Giuliano Simeone all finding the net, exposing Brazil’s lack of firepower and leadership on the pitch. Without Neymar’s presence, the Seleção struggled to create chances, leaving head coach Dorival Junior with more questions than answers as he continues to rebuild the squad.
While the 33-year-old’s absence from the national team was already a major talking point, Brazilian fans were also eagerly anticipating his return at club level. Having rejoined Santos from Al-Hilal in January, the 33-year-old was expected to lead the club in their highly anticipated return to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. However, doubts lingered over his availability for their first match back in Brazil’s top flight.
Will Neymar face Vasco da Gama?
Despite the excitement surrounding his official league homecoming, Neymar will not feature in Santos’ opening game against Vasco da Gama this weekend.
According to TNT Sports Brazil, the veteran forward has failed to recover in time from a thigh injury, meaning his competitive debut for the Peixe will have to wait. The news comes as a significant blow to Santos fans, who had hoped to see their hometown hero lead the club on its return to the elite level of Brazilian soccer.
Santos’ head coach and medical staff had remained hopeful that Neymar could recover in time, but he is not yet match-fit to take part in the clash against Vasco da Gama. This latest setback continues a frustrating period for the player, who has not played for Brazil since September 2024 and has struggled with injuries in recent seasons.
Santos and Neymar: Delayed first division reunion
Neymar’s return to Santos—the club where he rose to superstardom—was seen as a fresh start after a demanding spell at Al-Hilal. Having spent years in Europe’s top leagues with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, his decision to return home was met with excitement from Santos supporters and Brazilian soccer fans alike.
However, his highly awaited comeback has been put on hold, with Santos’ next league match against Bahia on April 4 now marked as the potential date for his return. The club hopes that Neymar will be fully fit by then, allowing him to make his first appearance in Santos’ colors in over a decade.
