Will Neymar Jr Play in Santos vs Atletico Mineiro CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 Match?

Neymar Jr will not play in Santos FC's CONMEBOL Sudamericana quarter-final first leg against Clube Atlético Mineiro after being ruled out with a hamstring injury. The 34-year-old forward sustained the muscular problem during a recent domestic fixture against Palmeiras and faces at least a month on the sidelines, forcing him to miss both legs of the all-Brazilian continental clash. Neymar Injury: Brazilian Legend Limps Off With Thigh Injury in Santos’ Copa Do Brasil 2026 Clash.

Injury Setback Rules Out Number 10

Medical examinations confirmed Neymar suffered a moderate right hamstring strain, dealing a significant blow to manager Cuca’s tactical plans. Santos officials and medical staff have opted for a cautious rehabilitation schedule to prevent a potential relapse, ruling out any premature return.

The Brazilian international is not expected to return to first-team action until after the upcoming international window in October, leaving him sidelined for domestic league fixtures alongside the continental quarter-finals.

Impact on Santos' Sudamericana Campaign

Neymar’s absence leaves a noticeable creative void in the Santos attack. Before the setback, the talismanic forward registered two goals and two assists across five appearances in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, serving as a primary catalyst for the club’s progression to the final eight. In his absence, Cuca is expected to turn to Gabriel Barbosa and Moisés to shoulder the goalscoring burden when they host Atlético Mineiro at the Urbano Caldeira Stadium. Neymar Jr’s Jersey Gift to 8-Year-Old Corinthians Fan Leads to Harassment and Police Escort.

Recent Form and Team Outlook

Santos has shown promising form in their recent Sudamericana outings, securing victories such as a 2-1 win against Macará on August 13 and a 4-2 triumph over Universidad Central de Venezuela FC on July 28. While specific recent form for Atlético Mineiro in the Sudamericana was not immediately available, their higher CONMEBOL ranking suggests a consistent performance level.

Both teams will be looking to gain a crucial advantage in this first leg at home before the return fixture. The CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026 competition is scheduled to conclude with the final on November 21, 2026, at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 09, 2026 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).