Injured at Santos, Neymar blames Vila Belmiro groundskeeper

Neymar suffered a right thigh injury during Santos’ defeat to Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil last Thursday. Medical examinations predict an absence of around two months, another setback for a player whose career has been repeatedly plagued by physical problems.

Rather than accept his bad luck, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward designated an unexpected culprit: the groundskeeper at Vila Belmiro. “I wanted to congratulate the person responsible for the Vila Belmiro pitch. It was the worst pitch the club has ever had,” he wrote in an Instagram story, visibly furious.

Neymar went further in his accusations: “Full of holes because of earthworks carried out the day before. No wonder three players got injured in the first half. Bravo, really… Great shitty job.” While his anger is understandable, it comes at a time when Santos’ pitch is not the only factor regularly blamed for the player’s physical troubles.

Because Neymar’s list of serious injuries is long. Fractured vertebrae at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, torn ankle ligament in February 2018, then a succession of hamstring and adductor problems: the native of Mogi das Cruzes has navigated his career under the constant threat of the infirmary. His lifestyle, often criticized, has regularly fueled debates about his ability to play consecutive matches at the highest level.

This latest injury comes as Neymar recently ended his international career after the 2026 World Cup. At 33 years old, he is attempting to revive his career with Santos, the club that made him famous, but repeated absences are seriously complicating his comeback.