Santos forward Neymar left the field in tears after injuring his leg just 34 minutes into his first start in the Brazilian Serie A Championship this season.

The 33-year-old, who returned from six weeks out with a thigh injury against Fluminense on Sunday, was handed a start against Atletico-MG on Wednesday.

The former Barcelona forward was wearing a special number 100 shirt to commemorate his 100th appearances at Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium.

But, after gesturing towards the bench following Alvaro Barreal's goal to put the home side 2-0 up, Neymar sat on the field to await medical attention.

It was quickly decided that he could not continue and a clearly-emotional Neymar was taken off the field on a buggy, holding the left-thigh area that had kept him out for the previous six weeks.

Neymar was consoled by his own team-mates, as well as former Brazil team-mate and Atletico-MG forward Hulk.

"It's still too early to give any definitive answer, we don't have a diagnosis yet," said Santos coach Cesar Sampaio.

"Now we really have to pray that it's not something that will keep him out for a long time."

The former Paris St-Germain forward has made eight appearances for Santos and scored three goals since returning to the club from Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.

Neymar, Brazil's record scorer, has not played for the national side since October 2023 - when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

The forward was named in Brazil's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia but was forced to withdraw following injury.