It was supposed to be a beautiful moment, but it ended in heartbreak. Neymar played his 100th match at Santos' stadium on Thursday night and was allowed to wear a special shirt number for the game against Atlético Mineiro. However, the match lasted only 34 minutes for Neymar, as he got injured once again.
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Neymar played from 2009 until the summer of 2013 in exactly 95 official matches at Vila Belmiro, the iconic home stadium of Santos FC.
It was on that pitch that he first rose to global stardom as a teenager, dazzling crowds with his skill, flair, and goal-scoring ability. Over the years, Vila Belmiro became a special place for the Brazilian forward a symbolic home where his journey to international fame began.
Now, more than a decade later, Neymar returned to that same ground with a different purpose: to relaunch his career, regain form, and prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. His fifth home game since rejoining Santos in the current season marked a significant milestone his 100th appearance at Vila Belmiro. In honor of the occasion, Neymar was given the unique opportunity to wear shirt number 100 for the match against Atlético Mineiro, a small tribute to a career full of highs and, unfortunately, some painful lows.
Santos started the match well, looking determined to make Neymar's milestone a night to remember. The atmosphere at Vila Belmiro was electric, with fans cheering every touch of the ball by their returning hero. Neymar himself looked motivated and sharp, eager to make an impact and perhaps score a memorable goal to mark the special occasion. His movement was fluid, his touches confident, and his presence alone seemed to lift the entire team.
However, the celebratory tone of the evening quickly shifted. Just over 30 minutes into the match, Neymar went down following a challenge from an Atlético Mineiro defender. He immediately clutched his leg, and the concern among the Santos bench and fans was palpable. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, and after a brief assessment, it was clear that Neymar could not continue. As he limped off the field in tears, the stadium fell silent. Supporters who had come to witness a celebration now watched their idol leave the pitch devastated.
Despite the emotional blow, Santos managed to stay focused and hold on to their early lead. Goals scored before Neymar's injury were enough to secure a 2-0 win over Atlético Mineiro. It was a professional performance from the team, but the result was bittersweet. The match that was supposed to be a joyful tribute to Neymar’s history with Santos ended as a painful reminder of his ongoing struggle with fitness and injury.
Neymar's tears are understandable and symbolic of a career increasingly haunted by physical setbacks. Since 2021, the Brazilian forward has been dealing with a series of serious injuries that have prevented him from finding consistent rhythm and form. In 2023, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) one of the most feared injuries in football and underwent a lengthy recovery process. This return to Santos was supposed to be a fresh start, a homecoming to rebuild confidence, fitness, and momentum ahead of what could be his last FIFA World Cup with Brazil.
Beyond the World Cup, Neymar has also been rumored to be eyeing a final high-profile move, potentially returning to Barcelona, the club where he enjoyed his greatest successes in Europe. But his path back to top form has been anything but smooth. Even before this latest injury, Neymar had already been sidelined with hamstring problems earlier in the season. According to recent statistics, he has missed 133 official matches due to injuries since 2020 an astonishing number that reflects just how disrupted his career has been over the last few years.
The injury during his 100th appearance at Vila Belmiro adds another chapter to this difficult period. For Neymar, it wasn’t just another game it was a moment to reconnect with his roots, to show fans and critics alike that he still has the magic that made him a global star. Instead, he walked off in tears, perhaps questioning his own future once again.
For Santos, the win was important. For the fans, the night was emotional. And for Neymar, it was a heartbreaking reminder that even the most beautiful comebacks can be derailed in a single moment.
