Neymar experienced right thigh pain during Santos’s Copa do Brasil quarterfinal second-leg match against Palmeiras at Vila Belmiro, forcing his substitution at halftime according to widespread reporting from Brazilian sports outlets including ge.globo.com and Terra. The forward completed the first half but was replaced by Rony ahead of the second 45 minutes as Santos attempted to overturn a three-goal deficit from the opening leg.
First-Half Performance and Injury Timeline
Before leaving the pitch, the Santos captain proved highly active in the attack. According to match accounts from Terra, the attacker registered 53 actions with the ball during the opening period and forced a save from Palmeiras goalkeeper Carlos Miguel with a 12th-minute free-kick. He also drew two yellow cards from opposing defenders as Palmeiras adopted a more counter-attacking stance.
Physical discomfort in the posterior region of the right thigh manifested around the 40th minute of the first half. While Neymar remained on the field until the whistle sounded for halftime, coaching staff elected to withdraw him immediately afterward.
Implications for the Copa do Brasil and Brasileirão
The enforced substitution complicates an already difficult task for Santos. Entering the match trailing 3-0 on aggregate from the first leg last week under manager Abel Ferreira, the club needed a four-goal margin to advance in regulation or three goals to force penalties. Ultimately, Palmeiras advanced to the semifinals after a scoreless draw in the second leg.
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Looking ahead to domestic league action, Terra reports that Neymar is considered doubtful to face Internacional in the upcoming 26th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Both teams currently navigate the lower portion of the league table, turning the fixture into an important relegation battle.
Next Steps and Medical Evaluation
Santos has not yet released a formal clinical diagnosis regarding the severity of the right thigh issue.
