Neymar's homecoming Brazilian player Neymar Junior gets emotional during a press conference at the presentation of Santos FC at the Marble Hall, in Vila Belmiro, Baixada Santista in Santos, on the coast of Sao Paulo, on January 31. Photo: Marina Uezima/Brazil Photo Press via AFP
Image: Marina Uezima/Brazil Photo Press via AFP
Brazilian football star Neymar has once again sparked debate over a long-running conspiracy theory regarding the timing of his injuries.
For years, internet theorists have speculated that Neymar’s frequent absences in March conveniently align with his sister’s birthday in Brazil. Throughout his decorated career at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Al-Hilal, and now Santow, he has often been sidelined around that time, fueling speculation that his injuries are more than just bad luck.
While there’s no definitive proof to support the theory, Neymar’s history of March absences certainly makes for an interesting timeline.
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2015 & 2016: No injuries, but missed matches due to suspensions during the time of his sister's birthday.
2017: After starring in La Remontada, Barcelona’s historic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Neymar missed the following eight days with a muscular injury.
2018: A foot fracture in February sidelined him for 91 days during his first season in France.
2019: Another foot fracture ruled him out for nearly three months.
2020: No injury, but had picked up an injury that would have ruled him out for two matches in March. In March, the Covid-19 pandemic struck, and football across the globe was put on hiatus. Neymar returned to Brazil, and reportedly spent the lockdown in a $14 million (R255 million) villa equipped with a volleyball court, helicopter pad, and a 3,000-bottle wine cellar.
2021: Adductor pain kept him out for 37 days.
2022: No injury.
2023: Underwent ankle surgery, missing over four months.
2024: Suffered a cruciate ligament tear, sidelining him for 11 months. This was his most serious injury yet, sparking speculation about his future in football.
2025: After returning to his boyhood club Santos, Neymar announced he would miss several matches due to injury—just 24 hours before his sister’s birthday.
While some of his absences do align suspiciously with family celebrations, the severity of many of his injuries suggests it may all be a coincidence. Still, given Neymar’s history, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely next March to see if the pattern continues.
IOL Sport
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