Santos FC will take to the pitch tonight for their crucial Brazilian Serie A clash against Remo without their talismanic forward, Neymar Jr.
The 34-year-old superstar has been officially ruled out of the match due to a thigh injury, with his expected return not anticipated until November 2026.
The highly anticipated fixture is set for Saturday, September 19, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 9:30 PM BRT (03:00 AM on September 20 in India) at the Estádio Estadual Jornalista Edgar Augusto Proença in Belém. The venue, also known as Mangueirão, is a prominent stadium in the state of Pará.
Neymar’s Injury Woes Continue
Neymar Jr., who made a much-heralded return to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 after his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal was mutually terminated, has been plagued by recurring injury issues throughout the 2026 season. The current thigh complaint began on September 3, 2026, sidelining the prolific attacker. His absence was also noted in Santos’ previous matches, including their recent Copa Sudamericana fixtures.
Santos’ official lineup information explicitly lists Neymar among the unavailable players due to injury for tonight’s match. This comes as a disappointment for fans hoping to see the Brazilian icon in action during a critical phase of the Serie A campaign.
Match Context: Relegation Battle vs. Continental Hopes
The clash holds significant weight for both sides. Santos, currently sitting 10th in the Brazilian Serie A standings, are pushing for a spot in continental competitions. Their recent form has been mixed, with a 4-2 defeat to Atlético Mineiro on September 16, following a 2-1 home win against Cruzeiro on September 12.
Remo, on the other hand, finds themselves in a precarious position, battling against relegation at 19th in the league table. Clube do Remo was promoted to the Brasileirão Série A for the 2026 season. The home side comes into the game after a difficult run, having secured no wins, one draw, and four defeats in their last five outings, including a 2-1 loss to Bahia on September 14.
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
In their 2026 encounters, Santos has held the upper hand against Remo. ‘Peixe’ secured a 1-0 victory in the Copa do Brasil on August 5, 2026, after a goalless draw in the same competition on August 2, 2026. Earlier in the Serie A season, Santos also triumphed with a 2-0 win on April 2, 2026.
| Team | Last 5 League Matches (W-D-L) | League Position |
|---|---|---|
| Remo | 0-1-4 | 19th |
| Santos | 3-0-2 (last 5 results vary by source, consolidating to recent form) | 10th |
Neymar’s continued absence is a stark reminder of the challenges Santos faces in maintaining their push for a strong league finish. Tonight, the focus shifts to how the ‘Peixe’ squad will adapt without their star man as they aim to secure crucial points against a determined Remo side fighting for survival.