Neymar's COVID-19 Diagnosis Hits Santos at a Critical Moment
Neymar testing positive for COVID-19 is the latest chapter in a rough season for both the player and Santos FC. The Brazilian star, now 33, started showing symptoms on Thursday, and tests quickly confirmed he had the virus. The club didn't waste any time—he was pulled from all activities and sent into isolation so he wouldn't risk teammates or staff. It's another obstacle in a year that hasn't exactly gone Neymar's way since his return to Santos in January.
Ironically, even without the COVID-19 diagnosis, Neymar wasn't going to take the field for Santos against Fortaleza. He picked up a red card in a previous match, so he was suspended regardless. But now his health is also a concern, with club doctors keeping a close eye on him as he quarantines at home. Santos hasn't shared when he might be back to training or playing, and that just adds to the uncertainty swirling around him right now.
Injuries, Missed Matches, and Contract Doubts Plague Neymar's Return
The timing of this positive COVID test throws the spotlight back on Neymar's difficult year. Since coming back to Santos earlier this season, he hasn't managed to get any sort of rhythm going. Muscle injuries have kept him from featuring regularly, and even when he's made it onto the pitch, he's struggled to string games together. In total, he's managed just 12 appearances across all competitions so far, with three goals and three assists—numbers far below what fans were hoping for when he signed again for the club.
The immediate future is now even murkier. Santos faces Fortaleza this weekend, but then the squad gets a break for nearly a month, thanks to the Club World Cup in the United States interrupting domestic fixtures. If Neymar recovers in time, his next chance to feature will be against Palmeiras when the league resumes. But with his contract set to expire on June 30, there are big questions about how much more we'll see of him at Santos. The club hasn't made any announcements regarding an extension or renewal, fueling speculation about a possible move away or even a new chapter outside Brazil entirely.
Behind the scenes, club officials are handling Neymar's COVID-19 case cautiously, monitoring his health day by day while he remains in home quarantine. There’s been no official word on whether the illness might delay his recovery from other ongoing injuries, or if it will affect his longer-term fitness. For now, fans and teammates alike are left waiting—for both updates on his health and on whether one of Brazil's favorite sons will stick around for another season after such a trying comeback.
Pushkar Goswamy
June 15, 2025 AT 12:47This is just another chapter in the Neymar soap opera. He comes back to Santos like a king, but can't even stay fit for a month. Red card, then COVID? Please. This isn't a comeback-it's a slow-motion exit.
Anila Kathi
June 15, 2025 AT 20:34Honestly? I think he's just tired. After Paris, Barcelona, Qatar... he's running on fumes. Maybe he needs a real break, not just a contract extension.
Vasudev Singh
June 16, 2025 AT 20:57Look, people keep acting like Neymar is some kind of broken machine. He’s 33. His body has been through wars. Injuries? Sure. COVID? Bad timing. But let’s not forget-he’s still the guy who carried this club emotionally for years. The fact that he came back at all says more than any stat ever could.
shivesh mankar
June 18, 2025 AT 02:20I get the frustration, but let’s not forget what Santos means to him. This isn’t just a job-it’s home. Maybe he’s not scoring like before, but he’s still showing up. That’s worth something.
Vinay Vadgama
June 19, 2025 AT 17:37Neymar’s resilience is admirable. Even under immense pressure, he continues to represent his club with dignity. I hope he recovers fully and finds peace, whether in Brazil or elsewhere.
krishna poudel
June 20, 2025 AT 18:06Bro, he’s not even playing this weekend anyway. Why is everyone acting like this is the end of the world? He got suspended. Now he’s sick. Two different things. Stop turning every little thing into a tragedy.
Abhinav Dang
June 21, 2025 AT 00:52The data says he’s averaging 0.25 goals per game this season. That’s below replacement level for a player of his stature. But let’s not ignore the psychological toll. The weight of expectation? Crushing. He’s not lazy-he’s emotionally exhausted.
Amar Khan
June 22, 2025 AT 20:38I swear to god if he leaves and goes to some Saudi club again I’m done. After all the hype, all the money, all the injuries... he just keeps running away. This is the third time he’s come back to Santos and each time it’s like a ghost haunting his own legacy.
vasanth kumar
June 23, 2025 AT 09:06I watched him play for Barcelona. I watched him carry Brazil in 2014. Now I watch him limp around a Brazilian second-tier squad. It’s sad. Not because he’s bad-but because he’s not the same. The magic’s still there, just buried under years of noise.
Andalib Ansari
June 25, 2025 AT 00:36There’s a deeper question here: what does legacy mean when the body breaks? Neymar isn’t just a footballer-he’s a symbol. His struggle reflects the cost of greatness. We cheer for the goals, but never ask how much it costs to keep standing.
Akshay Srivastava
June 26, 2025 AT 04:32This isn’t a health issue. It’s a management failure. Santos should’ve planned for this. They knew his injury history. They knew his contract expires in June. Letting him play through pain and then scrambling when he gets sick? That’s incompetence dressed up as loyalty.
Roopa Shankar
June 27, 2025 AT 08:01He needs rest, not criticism. Look at how many times he’s come back from injury only to be torn apart by fans. He’s not quitting-he’s healing. Give him space. Let him decide his own path.
Pooja Shree.k
June 28, 2025 AT 19:45I just hope he’s okay. I don’t care about stats or contracts. I just want him to be healthy. He’s been through so much. Please just let him be well.
vikram singh
June 29, 2025 AT 18:28Neymar’s COVID is just the latest plot twist in the greatest tragedy since Hamlet forgot his lines. One minute he’s a god, next he’s a cautionary tale. The world holds its breath-will he return? Will he fade? Will the gods of football finally let him rest?
Hardik Shah
June 30, 2025 AT 16:11He’s overpaid. Overhyped. Overinjured. And now he’s positive? Good. Maybe this is the universe’s way of saying ‘enough.’ Santos deserves better than a walking PR stunt.
Amar Khan
July 1, 2025 AT 19:41I said it before and I’ll say it again-he’s not coming back. Not really. He’s just buying time until he gets that Saudi offer. This whole thing is a slow exit with a side of guilt.
manisha karlupia
July 3, 2025 AT 09:26maybe he just needs to stop playing... not for a few weeks... but for a year. let him breathe. let santos find someone else. maybe then he’ll remember why he loved the game.