Brazilian football star Neymar Jr has tested positive for Covid-19, his club Santos confirmed on Saturday.
The 33-year-old began displaying symptoms on Thursday, 5 June, and was immediately withdrawn from club activities. After undergoing medical evaluation and laboratory testing, the diagnosis of Covid-19 was confirmed by Santos’ medical department.
“With a viral condition that began on Thursday (June 5), Neymar Jr underwent laboratory tests, after evaluation by the Medical Department of Santos FC, which confirmed infection by Covid-19,” the club stated in an official release.
“The player had already been away from activities since Thursday, when he began showing symptoms, and remains resting at home and undergoing symptomatic treatment, as determined by a doctor,” the statement added.
This development is the latest setback in what has been a difficult return to Brazil’s Serie A for Neymar. Having rejoined his boyhood club Santos following an injury-hit spell at Saudi side Al-Hilal, the forward has found consistency hard to come by.
Neymar has made just 12 appearances in all competitions since his return, with ongoing fitness issues continuing to hamper his form. Most recently, he was serving a one-match suspension after being shown a red card for a deliberate handball while attempting to score in a match against Botafogo last Sunday.