Will Neymar Jr Play Tonight in Santos vs Cruzeiro Brazilian Serie A 2026 Match?
Neymar Jr. will miss tonight's Santos vs Cruzeiro Brazilian Serie A 2026 match at Estádio Urbano Caldeira due to a hamstring injury, with a return expected in late October or early November. The 34-year-old superstar's absence is a major blow for Santos in this Round 27 fixture, which kicks off on September 12, 2026, at 9:00 PM BRT.
Santos FC will be without their talismanic forward Neymar Jr. tonight as they host Cruzeiro in a pivotal Campeonato Brasileiro Série A clash. The 34-year-old sustained a moderate right hamstring injury during a recent Copa do Brasil match against Palmeiras and is expected to be sidelined for several more weeks, with a potential return projected for late October or early November 2026. Neymar Injury: Brazilian Legend Limps Off With Thigh Injury in Santos’ Copa Do Brasil 2026 Clash.
The highly anticipated Round 27 fixture is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2026, with kick-off at 9:00 PM Brasilia Time (BRT), which translates to Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 5:30 AM IST. The match will take place at Santos' iconic home ground, Estadio Urbano Caldeira, commonly known as Vila Belmiro. This match is part of Matchday 27 of the Brazilian Serie A 2026 season.
Neymar, who returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and extended his contract until December 2026, has been a key figure for the club despite an injury-interrupted 2026 season, contributing six goals and three assists in 12 Serie A appearances. His absence, alongside other key players such as Gabriel Barbosa (contractual clause), Lucas Veríssimo, Gonzalo Escobar, and Álvaro Barreal, presents a significant challenge for the Alvinegro Praiano.
Form Guide and Head-to-Head
Santos currently sits 13th in the Serie A table, but arrives at this encounter with a strong run of form, being unbeaten in their last four matches and aiming for a third consecutive league victory. Cruzeiro, positioned impressively at 6th, has been in scintillating form during the second half of the season, accumulating 15 points from their last seven league matches and securing three wins in their past four outings. Why is Neymar Not Part of Brazil Squad for Friendly Football Match Against India?.
Historically, the rivalry between these two clubs has been closely contested:
| Statistic | Santos | Cruzeiro |
|---|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 23 | |
| Santos Wins | 7 | |
| Cruzeiro Wins | 11 | |
| Draws | 5 |
The last meeting between Santos and Cruzeiro in the Brasileirao Serie A on March 22, 2026, ended in a goalless draw. Tonight's match promises to be a gripping encounter as Santos looks to continue its upward trajectory despite key absences, while Cruzeiro aims to solidify its position in the top half of the league.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2026 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
