Neymar steps up Santos rehab and could return earlier than expected | OneFootball

Wednesday marks three weeks since Neymar suffered a right thigh injury, and the Santos playmaker is pushing through physiotherapy in hope of an earlier-than-expected return. He had targeted the Flamengo meeting on the eighth of October, though that window is tight.

He was hurt in the first half against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil on the second of September, when Santos went out in the quarter-finals. According to Globo.com, a minimum four-week timetable would allow him to begin the physical transition back to pitch work from the first of October and possibly be in contention for Flamengo.

That date is viewed as overly optimistic by those overseeing his recovery. Club and player are wary of rushing, given the risk of a setback or fresh injury. Neymar has typically needed longer than the minimum to return from fitness issues.

A more realistic projection points to roughly three additional weeks of physiotherapy, with full clearance around the fourteenth of October, totalling six weeks of treatment. In that scenario, he could be available for Fluminense on the eighteenth or Bahia on the twenty-fifth, subject to his on-field work and the staff’s final call.

The number 10 is eager to line up alongside close friends. He had a direct hand in bringing in midfielder Arthur, already a starter, and Philippe Coutinho, who has yet to debut.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”