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Neymar, 33, has made eight appearances since returning to Santos Santos forward Neymar left the field in tears after injuring his leg just 34 minutes into his first start in the Brazilian Serie A Championship this season. The 33-year-old, who returned from six weeks out with a thigh injury against Fluminense on Sunday, was handed a start against Atletico-MG on Wednesday. The former Barcelona forward was wearing a special number 100 shirt to commemorate his 100th appearances at Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium. But, after gesturing towards the bench following Alvaro Barreal's goal to put the home side 2-0 up, Neymar sat on the field to await medical attention. It was quickly decided that he could not continue and a clearly-emotional Neymar was taken off the field on a buggy, holding the left-thigh area that had kept him out for the previous six weeks. Neymar was consoled by his own team-mates, as well as former Brazil team-mate and Atletico-MG forward Hulk. "It's still too early to give any definitive answer, we don't have a diagnosis yet, " said Santos coach Cesar Sampaio. "Now we really have to pray that it's not something that will keep him out for a long time. " The former Paris St-Germain forward has made eight appearances for Santos and scored three goals since returning to the club from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Neymar, Brazil's record scorer, has not played for the national side since October 2023 - when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament. The forward was named in Brazil's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia but was forced to withdraw following injury. Brazil sack boss Dorival after Argentina defeat What's going on with Brazil? Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone 'It's just incredible' - reaction as Van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract Champions League reaction: Arsenal set for PSG semi-final after beating Real Madrid Van Dijk signs new Liverpool contract Another frenetic Race Across the World is coming soon A unique peek into Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash's life How an online obsession led to betrayal and murder Witness the final stages of the Notre-Dame's renovation A fluffed Panenka, controversy & 'statement win' for Arsenal 'The message will be clear - it's time for Ancelotti to move on' Who will win Champions League? BBC Sport's predictions 100% jeopardy: Every Championship team can still go either up or down What does the 'definition of a woman' ruling mean for sport? Champions League semi-finals - how it stands & route to final Snooker World Championship guide: Draw, seeds & coverage Can new wave of African cyclists produce 'second Girmay'? 'Despair for Emery, but Villa showed they belong' The life, loss and legacy of Kevin Campbell 'Don't give up' - why Peaty was convinced to go again 'Mc Ilroy in the conversation to be Europe's greatest golfer' Guirassy's rise from journeyman to Champions League 'goal machine' In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week How coping with 'heartbreak' changed everything for Mc Ilroy Mc Ilroy's dramatic Masters triumph. Video Mc Ilroy's dramatic Masters triumph Corner chicken & Rory Delap 2. 0 - what's the future of football? Can Swiatek emulate Alcaraz to start clay season? Has 'micro-managed' Premier League become boring? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.