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Neymar Tests Positive for COVID-19 Again, Misses National Duties.
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Missed Brazil’s latest World Cup qualifiers, raising comeback doubts.
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Last played for Brazil in 2023 before serious injury setback.
Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time, Santos FC confirmed in a statement released on Friday.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the 33-year-old forward began showing symptoms on Thursday, June 5, 2025, prompting medical evaluations and laboratory tests, which confirmed the infection. “With a viral condition that started on Thursday, Neymar Jr. underwent laboratory tests, after evaluation by the Medical Department of Santos FC, which confirmed infection by COVID-19,” the club’s statement read.
Santos added that Neymar has since withdrawn from all club activities and is currently receiving symptomatic treatment under medical supervision.
This is Neymar’s second bout with the virus; his first infection occurred in 2021 during his time with French club Paris Saint-Germain.
The news comes at a difficult time for Neymar, who has been notably absent from the Brazilian national team setup in recent years. His last international appearance came in October 2023, during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, where he suffered a severe injury and was stretchered off the pitch. The setback ruled him out of the 2024 Copa America tournament.
Neymar has not been named in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad for Brazil’s World Cup qualifying fixtures against Ecuador and Paraguay, sparking renewed concerns about his future with the Seleção.
Despite being Brazil’s all-time top scorer with 79 international goals, Neymar’s persistent injuries and now another COVID-19 diagnosis have cast uncertainty over his national team comeback.
