Why Is Neymar Not Playing Tonight for Santos vs. Gremio?
Since returning to his boyhood club Santos after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal, Neymar has brought a major lift both on and off the pitch.
The Brazilian star has scored 17 goals and 8 assists in 42 appearances. His experience and influence were central in helping the team rebuild and stay competitive in crucial moments before his latest call-up to the national squad.
Tonight, Santos face Grêmio in a demanding away fixture in Porto Alegre. This will be a huge test in their season to look to maintain consistency against one of the league's more physical and disciplined teams.
Santos has been carefully managing Neymar's minutes since his return, with the focus not only on domestic performances but also on keeping him in peak condition for Brazil's international schedule. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, every appearance is being weighed against long-term fitness.
Neymar Injured
Neymar is missing from Santos' squad for tonight's match against Grêmio, something that caught attention given his importance to the team and his recent involvement with the Brazil national squad.
According to Brazilian reports, Medical tests revealed a minor edema (swelling) in his right calf muscle, an issue he picked up during a recent fixture. It was enough for the medical staff to rule him out as a precaution.
Reports from ESNP indicate that Neymar's injury situation might be more worrying than first thought. He could now miss both of Brazil's pre-World Cup friendlies, raising real concerns over his fitness. Reportedly, the Brazilian federation isn't happy with the lack of clear updates coming out of Santos, with confusion building internally over his exact condition.
Neymar's injury could be more serious than initially expected.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 23, 2026
He could even miss both pre-World Cup friendly matches.
The Brazilian federation are reportedly unhappy with the lack of clarity from Santos, which has caused major internal confusion.
(Source: ESPN) pic.twitter.com/LwCtAQU7Tl
Because he has recently been called up to the Brazil national team, both Santos and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) are closely managing his rehabilitation to avoid any long-term risk.
The forward is currently going through recovery at the Santos training base, under the supervision of his personal medical team as well as CBF specialists.
Initial forecasts suggest Neymar could return to full training around May 27, at which point he is expected to rejoin Brazil's national team preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
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This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 4:20 PM.