Reuters
Jun 8, 2025, 07:08 AM ET
Brazil forward Neymar has been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, his club Santos said in a statement as quoted by Brazilian media.
The 33-year-old began showing symptoms on Thursday and was immediately removed from team activities. Medical tests later confirmed the viral infection, the Brazil Serie A side said on Saturday.
The club did not disclose how long Neymar will be out of action and did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Neymar is already ruled out of Thursday's league match at Fortaleza through suspension.
The Fortaleza match will be Santos' last outing before the Brazilian league pauses for the June 14-July 13 Club World Cup in the United States.
The former Barcelona forward's future at Santos remains undecided, with his contract set to expire on June 30. Limited by injury, he has made 12 appearances for Santos across all competitions this season, contributing three goals and three assists.
Meanwhile, Brazil teammate Casemiro said Neymar sits alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the top three players of his generation.
"Neymar, what can I say about him? He's an outstanding player, who, for me, in my football cycle, is in the top three, with Cristiano [Ronaldo] and [Lionel] Messi," he told a news conference ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.
"We know that he needs to be in good physical shape, and if he's in good shape he's by far the best. I think it's up to Neymar to be happy again, physically fit. He's more than necessary, not only in the national team, but he needs to be fit physically and mentally.
"I tell you from the bottom of my heart, this guy is better than anyone else by far. We need someone with that quality. He's a player from another world."
