According to reports, Neymar Jr. and Santos fans have experienced a rollercoaster of emotions since his return to the club where he developed as a player. His comeback aimed to regain form after a year-long absence due to an ACL injury, but it has not yielded the desired results.

However, Neymar is now in a state of uncertainty. The severity of his second muscle injury—in the same left thigh area—remains unclear. The superstar was substituted in the 32nd minute during Santos’ match against Atlético Mineiro at Vila Belmiro, which ironically was their only win in the first five weeks of the 2025 league season.

Santos’ medical team has not disclosed details about his condition, leaving his return timeline uncertain. Some speculate he will be sidelined for a month, with a potential comeback in the São Paulo derby against Corinthians on May 18 at Neo Química Arena.

Neymar previously downplayed his muscle tear during Carnival, initially claiming it was just stress before accepting the club’s official diagnosis—a decision inconsistent with his prolonged absence.

Reports suggest Neymar’s physical condition has become a serious concern. He only played consistently in his first month back. Since then, he has suffered two muscle injuries. His return has been disappointing, with just 77 minutes of playtime.

The second major issue is his uncertain future. Neymar is halfway through his five-month contract with Santos, set to expire on July 30. There are no clues about his next move. Figures like Romário have advised him to stay in Brazil and prepare for the 2026 World Cup—his last national tournament.

Meanwhile, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira, previously optimistic about renewing Neymar’s contract, shifted focus, stating that injuries won’t necessarily help his stay. He said, “There are no shortcuts or advantages here. We have a project with Neymar, independent of whether he plays or not. The market won’t line up for him based on injuries. What we need is to sit down, evaluate, and decide on his future based on this project.”

Santos’ sporting situation complicates matters further. The team, recently promoted back to Brazil’s top league, is struggling and currently in the relegation zone. Their Portuguese manager was sacked, with assistant César Sampaio taking temporary charge.

Negotiations with high-profile coaches like former Brazil national team managers Tite and Dorival Júnior have failed, with both rejecting the job. Portuguese manager Luís Castro, who excelled at Botafogo, also declined, leaving the coaching situation unclear for the rest of the season.