Neymar Fuels Conspiracy Theories Once Again with Injury Before Sister’s Birthday
Brazilian superstar Neymar has reignited one of football’s longest-running conspiracy theories after suffering yet another injury just days before his sister Rafaella Santos’ birthday. Over the years, Neymar has gained an infamous reputation for missing club matches in early March due to suspensions or injuries, which coincidentally align with his sister’s birthday on March 11. This time, the trend continues, sparking fresh speculation among fans and pundits.
A History of Mysterious Absences
The theory surrounding Neymar’s “birthday curse” dates back to his time at Barcelona. In 2015 and 2016, he conveniently picked up yellow card suspensions just before his sister’s birthday, allowing him to return to Brazil. In 2017, he missed games due to an adductor injury, while in 2018, he suffered a broken metatarsal in late February, ruling him out for weeks.
His move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017 did little to break the cycle. Neymar was absent during the same period in 2019 with another metatarsal injury. In 2021, he picked up an abductor injury in early February, missing crucial games in March. While some of these injuries were genuine, the sheer consistency of Neymar’s absences during this time has fueled speculation that he deliberately finds a way to take time off and celebrate with his family(planetfootball.com).
The Latest Incident: Coincidence or Pattern?
In 2024, Neymar, now playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has once again been sidelined due to injury just before March 11. Fans and critics have taken to social media to highlight the “coincidence,” with memes and debates emerging about whether Neymar’s injuries at this time of year are genuine or a carefully orchestrated escape.
While Neymar has never publicly addressed these rumors in detail, his actions over the years—often being spotted at lavish celebrations in Brazil during his absences—have only added fuel to the fire. In 2020, for instance, he humorously acknowledged the speculation by joking that he wouldn’t be able to attend Rio Carnival that year due to playing commitments(planetfootball.com).
How Clubs Have Responded
Despite the controversy, clubs have generally supported Neymar during these absences. At Barcelona, then-manager Luis Enrique allowed Neymar to travel to Brazil on multiple occasions. PSG also seemed to accept his absences, although frustration reportedly grew behind the scenes, particularly as they aimed for Champions League glory.
Now at Al-Hilal, it remains to be seen how the Saudi club will handle his latest injury and whether fans in the Middle East will be as forgiving as those in Paris or Barcelona.
The Verdict: A Conspiracy That Won’t Go Away
While Neymar’s injury history is well-documented, the pattern of his absences before his sister’s birthday is undeniably strange. Whether it’s bad luck, an actual injury, or a carefully planned getaway, the theory continues to capture the imagination of football fans worldwide.
With Neymar now in the twilight of his career, it will be interesting to see if this annual trend continues or if he finally breaks the cycle. But for now, football’s most infamous “birthday curse” remains alive and well(planetfootball.com).
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