Neymar sidelined for up to eight weeks by thigh injury

Santos will be without Neymar for a crucial stretch of their season after the forward suffered another injury. The club are 14th in the Brasileirão, only four points clear of the relegation places, while also preparing for a Copa Sudamericana quarter-final against Atlético-MG.

Neymar sustained the problem during the first half of Santos' Copa do Brasil meeting with Palmeiras, a match that ended with Santos eliminated. He was replaced at the interval and subsequent examinations found a grade 2B muscle lesion in the rectus femoris of his right thigh. The expected absence is between four and eight weeks, meaning he could miss up to two months of competition.

The setback adds to a series of fitness problems since Neymar returned to Santos. He has previously dealt with an issue in his left thigh, another injury to the right rectus femoris, a left-knee meniscus problem and a right-calf complaint. Despite those interruptions, he has produced eight goals and eight assists in 24 appearances across all competitions this season.

His latest absence leaves Santos without one of their leading contributors as they try to create distance from the relegation zone and continue their Sudamericana campaign.