Brazilian footballer Neymar has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently receiving treatment at home, according to a statement from his club, Santos FC. The 33-year-old forward felt unwell on Thursday, June 5, and immediately withdrew from team activities. Following medical evaluation and lab tests, the club confirmed the diagnosis and stated that Neymar is resting and undergoing symptomatic treatment as advised by doctors.
This marks the second time Neymar has contracted the virus. He tested positive in May 2021 while playing for Paris Saint-Germain and took four months to fully recover before returning to training. Now back with his boyhood club Santos, the striker has faced a difficult period regaining top form since leaving the French club in 2023.
Despite holding the record as Brazil’s highest goalscorer with 79 international goals, Neymar’s last appearance for the national team was in October 2023, when he suffered an injury during a 2-0 loss to Uruguay. That injury ruled him out of the Copa America 2024 and led to his exclusion from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the ongoing World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
Neymar remains under medical supervision and is expected to continue recovering at home until further updates are released.
