Neymar Expected to Start Crucial Derby After Flu Scare
Neymar Jr. sat out Santos’ tactical session at CT Rei Pelé with mild flu symptoms, a late scare just as Cuca was putting the final touches on his plan for a derby that could shape their season.
The club moved quickly to calm nerves. Following advice from the Health Department, the medical staff pulled their captain from Friday’s training as a precaution, determined not to risk any deterioration before the trip to fierce rivals Corinthians.
In an official statement, Santos explained: “The athlete Neymar Jr. presented flu-like symptoms and was rested from Friday's (August 28) training session, following advice from the Health Department.”
The message was clear: caution now, so he can lead them when it matters.
Early reports from the club suggest Neymar will be back on the pitch on Saturday and remains available for selection in the clássico. For Cuca, that is non‑negotiable good news.
Because this team looks very different without him.
Neymar has driven Santos’ attack all season, with nine goals and eight assists in 24 appearances. When he plays, the Peixe carry threat and personality. When he doesn’t, the numbers – and the memories – are brutal.
The 3-0 collapse against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil, when Santos had to cope without their captain, still hangs over the squad. That night exposed just how much they lean on his creativity, his ability to hold the ball, to drag defenders out of position, to turn pressure into chances.
Now Cuca heads into the derby juggling even more problems.
- Joao Schmidt is suspended after an accumulation of bookings, stripping the midfield of one of its key anchors.
- Gabriel Menino is out with a knee sprain, another important piece missing at exactly the wrong time.
The margin for error shrinks again.
All of this unfolds against a worrying backdrop in the Campeonato Brasileiro table. Santos sit just two points above the relegation zone. One bad week could drag them under. A result at Corinthians isn’t just about local pride; it’s about breathing space.
And the schedule offers no mercy.
Once the dust settles on the derby, Santos must somehow chase down a three-goal deficit against Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil quarter-final second leg. It’s a mountain, not a hill. After that, they hit the road again for a tough away game at Internacional before the domestic calendar finally pauses for the break.
It’s a brutal run, packed into a few defining days.
In that context, Neymar’s brief flu scare is more than a medical note on a club statement. It’s a reminder of how fragile Santos’ hopes are right now, how much rests on one player’s shoulders as they stare down a derby, a remontada mission, and a relegation fight all at once.
