Neymar Injury Update: Could This End His World Cup Hopes?

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 just a few months away, Neymar’s fans were hoping they might finally see their hero in his last FIFA World Cup. The statement made by coach Carlo Ancelotti who said “He’s on the long list. He has six months to show performance. He needs continuity, minutes and physical condition. In modern football, talent alone isn’t enough.” had given fans huge hope. But the latest Neymar injury update may disappoint millions of those fans.

Hours ago Brazilian team Santos officially confirmed that Neymar suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during training. The 33 year old is said to undergo another surgery, which might keep Neymar away from the pitch till the new year. This Neymar injury is the same which caused problems earlier this season and comes just weeks after he returned from a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for over a month.

Neymar Return and Carlo Ancelotti's Deadline

Ancelotti had set a clear deadline, Neymar needed to be fully fit and playing regularly by early 2026 to be considered for the FIFA World Cup squad. With Brazil national football team final friendlies and preparations starting in March, the timeline now looks almost impossible. Neymar has played only 17 matches for Santos this year in the league, scoring in the single digit while missing 24 games through various injuries. Let's look at Neymar injury this calendar year and his performance.

For a player who has battled constant setbacks since his ACL rupture in 2023, this fresh blow feels like the cruelest yet. The dream of seeing Neymar wear the yellow jersey one last time at the World Cup is fading fast.