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Santos face their last chance of the season without Neymar

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Santos host Atlético Mineiro in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals without Neymar, who has a thigh injury expected to keep him out for about two months.
  • Santos have moved seven points clear of Brazil’s relegation zone after beating Internacional 3-2 away and can focus more heavily on the continental competition.
  • Atlético Mineiro enter the tie in strong form but lost their previous match 2-0 to São Paulo after a 14-game unbeaten run.

Santos will face Atlético Mineiro in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals without Neymar, leaving the club’s most important player out for the entire tie. The first leg takes place at Vila Belmiro as both Brazilian teams pursue one of their final chances to win a trophy this season.

Neymar is recovering from a “type 2B muscle injury in the rectus femoris of the right thigh,” Santos said. Local media put his recovery time at about two months. The injury has interrupted his progress after he had moved beyond a series of physical problems following his return from the 2026 World Cup.

The forward expressed his frustration and blamed the latest injury on the poor condition of the Vila Belmiro pitch. Santos will also be without striker Rony, who is suspended after accumulating yellow cards. Defender Lucas Veríssimo could return after recovering from discomfort in his right ankle.

Santos have spent much of the Brazilian league season close to the relegation places, but a 3-2 away win over Internacional on Sunday left them seven points above danger. The club has 13 league matches remaining and has strengthened its squad for the final stretch with fullback Rodinei and midfielder Arthur Melo, the former Barcelona and Juventus player. Both are available, although they are expected to start on the bench.

Atlético Mineiro also arrive in good form. The team went 14 matches unbeaten before losing 2-0 away to São Paulo on Saturday and sit eighth in the Brasileirão, with a chance to climb into the places qualifying for the 2027 Copa Libertadores. Coach Jorge Sampaoli’s compatriot, Eduardo Domínguez, could recover defender Lyanco and midfielder Maycon for Wednesday’s match, while goalkeeper and captain Everson remains among those undergoing rehabilitation.

type 2B muscle injury in the rectus femoris of the right thigh

· SantosThe club’s medical description of Neymar’s injury.
About this summary

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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